Former Real Madrid forward Raul Gonzalez is one of a number of high-profile former players to begin his coaching course in Spain.
Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Victor Valdes, Julio Baptista, Joan Capdevila and Marcos Senna are among the illustrious list of names to begin training for their coaching badges.
Raul – who enjoyed a 20-year career at the top level – is among those on the Madrid-based course which is being run by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to acquire UEFA's A and B coaching licenses.
“I am excited for this new challenge for me and my future in football,” Raul is cited as saying by Marca.
“This is great for us (his colleagues on the course) to continue our development within the game and we are all anticipating the learning.
“It is the first step for us and allows us to coach teams initially at a youth level but within a year, we will then be allowed to do the UEFA professional course which would mean we can train any team.
“It is important now to focus, work hard and get our badges but the future? We must wait until summer to analyse the possibilities.
“This course is allowing me to view football differently.”
