Schalke see Real Madrid Castilla coach as their Xabi Alonso – report | OneFootball

According to an update shared on AS, it has come to light that Schalke are increasingly hopeful of securing Real Madrid Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez for the 2025-26 season.

The German club view him as their ideal candidate to lead their long-term project, regardless of whether they remain in the second division or achieve promotion to the Bundesliga.

It must be noted that Schalke have approached Raul multiple times in the past, and as the current season nears its conclusion, they are preparing to make another strong push for his signature.

There is growing confidence within the club that he could be convinced to take charge, as they see him as their version of Xabi Alonso—a former player returning to lead the team back to prominence.

Raul’s history with Schalke and more

Raul’s history with Schalke strengthens their belief. After leaving Real Madrid as a player, he enjoyed a successful spell in Germany, leaving a lasting impact on the club and its supporters.

Additionally, his coaching career at Real Madrid’s Castilla team has drawn attention despite not securing promotion to the Segunda Division.

Schalke are very much interested in Raul Gonzalez. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)

He came close to achieving that goal two seasons ago and has demonstrated resilience in managing challenging situations. However, there remains a considerable gap between Schalke’s interest and an actual agreement.

There is a problem

It is not that Raul has ruled out Schalke or any other club that has shown interest, but for now, his focus remains solely on Castilla and the ongoing season.

He is not looking beyond the immediate future, leaving all decisions regarding his next step until later.

Regardless of the uncertainty, Schalke’s determination to bring in Raul will not waver. They are prepared to pursue him unless it becomes absolutely clear that signing him is impossible.

Their ultimate aim is to restore Schalke’s status as a dominant force in German football, and they believe Raul is the right man to lead that mission.