President Martín Peláez has also explained why the former Real Madrid captain was chosen to replace Julián Calero.
Raúl was appointed on Monday, November 9, signing a contract until June 2028 after Calero’s dismissal. He took his first training session at El Requexón the following day before being officially presented at the Carlos Tartiere, where he was joined by sporting director David Fernández and other senior club figures.
The appointment has attracted considerable attention in Spain, something Peláez acknowledged when speaking to MARCA at the Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Pachuca, Mexico. The president admitted that the club had been taken aback by the scale of the coverage surrounding Raúl’s arrival.
“Every day Laura, our head of communications, sends me the press dossier with everything being said about Oviedo. Normally it is between 15 and 25 pages. Today the report arrived with 139. Raúl’s first day!” Peláez said.
“That is when you realise the importance of his name. We already knew it, but until you see it, you do not fully understand the scale of it.”
Peláez insisted that the decision was based on more than Raúl’s reputation as a former player. Oviedo wanted a coach who could give the team a recognisable identity and a more ambitious approach.
“We are looking for a coach who can give us what we want. Our management philosophy is known. Starting with a group, we want a brave team, one that feels something, tries to play good football and goes out to look for matches,” he explained.
“We think Raúl has that profile. We will see whether it works or not, but we believe he has those characteristics. David Fernández, our sporting director, also knows his work at Castilla very well. The decision is about him.”
The president also acknowledged that the change was not simply a response to the league position. Oviedo were still within reach of the play-off places, but the performances had not matched the club’s expectations.
“We are not that badly positioned in the table and we are not so far away from the play-offs, but the truth is that we were not seeing the Oviedo we wanted to see. We want a different Oviedo,” Peláez said.
He added that the club accepted responsibility for the decision to change coaches, rather than looking for individuals to blame.
Raúl, meanwhile, spoke of his excitement at taking charge of a club with a strong footballing tradition and a passionate support. He explained that he had been waiting for an opportunity that would allow him to choose a project in which he could make a meaningful contribution.
“After some time without coaching, I had the ambition to choose a place with tradition and a city with a passion for football. The club, and especially David, convinced me to take this decision and put myself at the head of a project that excites me because of the club’s history and its supporters,” he said at his presentation.
He revealed that other clubs had approached him, but the structure and ambition of Oviedo’s ownership were important factors in his decision.
“I had some approaches from other clubs, but I was convinced by this ownership, which is serious and has been helping the city for some time, with a training ground in development that is important for continuing to grow,” Raúl explained.
“I have found people in the sporting and general management, I have spoken with Cazorla and César, and I feel this is a place where I can do what my head is telling me to do. I have a lot of enthusiasm and I believe I can bring things to the club.”
The new coach also spoke with club owner Jesús Martínez, describing him as passionate about football and keen to see an adventurous team that plays well and attacks. Raúl said the challenge would be to find the right balance between attacking and defending.
His immediate task is to assess the squad and begin establishing the playing principles he wants to see. He favours a vertical, aggressive side that looks for goals, but stressed that the players must first understand the demands of the system.
“I like a vertical, aggressive team that looks for goals and knows how to defend. We are in a period of evaluating things and looking at the dynamics. The matches before Christmas will give us a lot of information, but Saturday’s match is the most important,” he said.
“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.”
Raúl has already met the club captains and discussed areas where the team can improve, as well as the positive aspects he wants to preserve. He recognises that he must adapt to the players available rather than simply impose methods from his previous work with Real Madrid Castilla.
“I have to adapt. It is an important challenge. I have been able to get to know Real Oviedo and Vetusta, and there is a lot of potential among the young players,” he said.
“Today I met with the captains. We talked about things to improve and others to continue. Hopefully we can help each other.”
He also left open the possibility of changing formations, including using a back three, insisting that his selection and tactical decisions would depend on the profiles of his players.
Asked whether he could imagine returning to Real Madrid in the future, Raúl made clear that his attention was firmly on the club that had given him his latest opportunity.
“I see myself being here. This is where they have given me the opportunity and the confidence, and I am very happy,” he said. “I cannot stop smiling. I am privileged to go and train this team every day.”
The former Madrid captain also acknowledged the similarities between leading a dressing room as a player and managing one as a coach, particularly the importance of communication and unity.
“We were fortunate to be at Real Madrid, to be captain, to lead and help many team-mates. There are similarities, and that experience helps us understand the footballer,” he said.
“The results will determine the path, but we have to be strong and united, knowing clearly what Oviedo’s objective is.”
Raúl’s first match in charge will be against Girona at the Carlos Tartiere on Saturday. He knows there is little time to prepare, but has promised to build a side that supporters can identify with.
“I want people to enjoy themselves and see a team that fights with courage and never gives up,” he said.