Raúl wants to give Real Oviedo a new identity

Raúl wants to give Real Oviedo a new identity. Appointed on Monday, November 9, after Calero’s dismissal, the former Real Madrid captain signed a contract until June 2028. The next day, he held his inaugural training session at El Requexón and later appeared at the Carlos Tartiere for his official unveiling, accompanied by sporting director David Fernández and other senior figures from the club.

The appointment was about more than Raúl’s reputation as a former player, president Martín Peláez said. The club wanted a coach capable of establishing a recognisable identity and a more ambitious approach. Peláez summed up the desired change: “We want a different Oviedo.” He also said the team was not badly placed in the table and remained close to the play-off places, but that the football on show was not what the club wanted to see.

Raúl described a side looking to play forward, while stressing the need to find the right balance between attack and defence. “I like a vertical, aggressive team that looks for goals and knows how to defend,” he said. He added that the club was still assessing things and that the coming matches would provide useful information, while making Saturday’s match the immediate priority. The players must first understand the demands of the system.

The new coach also set out the sporting target: “We have to fight for the three points in every game. It is a marathon with many battles. We will try to be well positioned and fight for the objective, which has to be playing in the First Division.” He said he needed to adapt, while pointing to the potential of young players at Real Oviedo and Vetusta.

Raúl said the project and the people involved had persuaded him to take the job. Other clubs had approached him, but he said the ownership and the development of a training ground had convinced him. He also said he had spoken with Cazorla and César and wanted to contribute to the club. The task now, in his account, is to turn those ambitions into a recognisable team that meets the same demands in attack and defence.