Schalke executives have recently traveled to Madrid in an attempt to convince Raul to become their new manager, as the club faces a difficult situation in the 2nd Bundesliga. Currently sitting 16th out of 18 teams, Schalke have earned just 4 points from their opening 6 matches. In a bid to reverse their fortunes, Schalke’s leadership is turning to their former star to inspire a revival.
🚨 BREAKING: Schalke bosses traveled to Madrid to meet with Raúl and try to convince him to be their manager, but it’s unlikely he accepts. @relevo pic.twitter.com/IahvWc3aWi
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 25, 2024
Raul, currently leading Real Madrid Castilla, met with Schalke emissaries who presented their project and future plans. They promised him significant power within the club and emphasized the love and respect he still enjoys from Schalke’s fans. Despite their best efforts, it appears unlikely that Raul will accept the offer to return to the club where he spent the final years of his playing career.
A key factor in Raul’s reluctance to leave Madrid is his ambition to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as the next manager of Real Madrid. With Ancelotti’s contract running until 2026, Raul is positioning himself as a candidate to take over one of the most prestigious jobs in football. Meanwhile, Ancelotti has not ruled out the possibility of extending his stay beyond 2026, which could impact Raul’s future decision.
The legendary №7 left Real Madrid in 2010 after scoring 323 goals in 741 appearances and enjoyed great success at Schalke. In his two seasons with the German club, he played 98 matches, scoring 40 goals, and helped Schalke win the DFB-Pokal and reach the Champions League semi-finals. His time at Schalke left a lasting impression on both the club and its supporters, and the current leadership believes his return could spark a turnaround in their struggles.
However, Raul remains focused on his role with Castilla, where he is developing young talent and solidifying his future managerial credentials. For now, Schalke may need to look elsewhere as they seek to climb out of the relegation zone.