Former Real Madrid great Raúl González named new coach of 2nd-division club Oviedo in Spain
New York Cosmos' Raul Gonzalez Blanco, center, meets with fans during a question-and-answer session at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Rourke
MADRID — Second-division Spanish club Oviedo has hired former Spain and Real Madrid great Raúl González as its new coach.
Oviedo said Monday it reached an agreement with the former player to be its coach on a contract until June 2028. The announcement came hours after the club fired Julián Calero, whose contract was to end next year.
The 49-year-old González began his coaching career with Madrid's youth squads and was at the helm of the club's “B” team for six seasons.
González retired as a player in 2015 after spending most of his career with Madrid. He also played for Schalke in Germany, Al-Sadd in Qatar and the New York Cosmos. The former striker played 102 times for Spain between 1996 and 2006.
González's first game in charge of Oviedo will be against Girona on Saturday.
Oviedo sits ninth in the 22-team second-division standings after 13 matches.
Calero was fired despite a 2-1 win at Cadiz on Saturday, with Oviedo one point outside the promotion playoff places.
Former Spanish national soccer team captain and former Real Madrid star Raúl González Blanco speaks during a press conference, where he is introduced as the newest member of the New York Cosmos, Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014 in New York. Credit: AP/Bebeto Matthews
Last season, Oviedo played in Spain's first division for the first time in 24 years. It was relegated after a last-place finish.
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