Real Madrid have been left reeling after a huge name confirmed they were leaving the club just days after Xabi Alonso was confirmed as their new manager.
Following a season that saw Real Madrid fail to win a trophy for the first time since the 2020/21 season, the club decided that it was time to part ways with legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Just days after the end of La Liga season, Real confirmed that former club legend Alonso would be taking over in the dugout following his departure from Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile Ancelotti will now take over as manager of the Brazilian national team.
But it seems that there's one legend at the club that may not have be happy about the change, as he has confirmed that he will be leaving just two days after Alonso's appointment.
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In a shock statement, Raul Gonzalez confirmed that he has stepped down as manager of Real Madrid's B-team, ending the legend's seven-year journey in the club's youth setup.
As a player, Raul represented Real Madrid between 1994 and 2010, making 741 appearances and scoring 323 goals in 741 appearances.
He later returned as a youth coach in 2018, but his official statement on Instagram has confirmed that his time with the Spanish giants has now come to an end.
The 47-year-old wrote: "As of today, I have informed Real Madrid of my decision to bring my time serving the Club to an end.
"It has been seven seasons during which I have enjoyed the great passion I've had for football since I was a child. I'm certain that these years have helped me grow both as a professional and as a person.
"I thank the club of my life for the opportunity it has given me throughout these years.
"And I want to express my gratitude to all the employees of this institution and to everyone who is part of Real Madrid, because they have all shown me support and affection, and have helped me carry out one of the most beautiful roles in this sport: sharing my experience and knowledge with the younger players, watching them grow as people and as athletes.
"I will proudly enjoy the successes achieved by each of the boys I have coached, and all of them take with them my affection and gratitude for everything I have experienced.
"A new chapter in my life now begins away from this Club, with the reassurance that one day I will return to what has always been my home.
"Thank you all. Hala Madrid!'
It is not known exactly what led to Raul's exit, but Spanish outlet AS have reported that he had grown frustrated at being overlooked for a more senior role at the club both when Zinedine Zidane departed in 2021, and now again with Ancelotti leaving.
Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, La Liga, Football, Carlo Ancelotti
Ben McCrum