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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Real Madrid legend quits just days after Xabi Alonso was confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement
Raul Gonzalez has stepped down as manager of Real Madrid 's B-team just days after the club confirmed Xabi Alonso will replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season. The departure ends a seven-year journey for Raul in the club's youth setup, where he rose through the ranks after beginning his coaching career in 2018 with Cadete B, Madrid's under-15 team. He was soon promoted to manage the B-team, known as Castilla, although he also led the club's under-19 side to UEFA Youth League glory in 2020. Raul, who scored 323 goals in 741 appearances for Madrid between 1994 and 2010, confirmed his decision to move via a personal statement on Instagram. The 47-year-old wrote: 'As of today, I have informed Real Madrid of my decision to bring my time serving the Club to an end. 'It has been seven seasons during which I have enjoyed the great passion I've had for football since I was a child. I'm certain that these years have helped me grow both as a professional and as a person. 'I thank the club of my life for the opportunity it has given me throughout these years. 'And I want to express my gratitude to all the employees of this institution and to everyone who is part of Real Madrid, because they have all shown me support and affection, and have helped me carry out one of the most beautiful roles in this sport: sharing my experience and knowledge with the younger players, watching them grow as people and as athletes. 'I will proudly enjoy the successes achieved by each of the boys I have coached, and all of them take with them my affection and gratitude for everything I have experienced. 'A new chapter in my life now begins away from this Club, with the reassurance that one day I will return to what has always been my home. 'Thank you all. Hala Madrid!' An official club statement then added: 'Real Madrid CF announces that Raul has informed the club of his decision to end his time as coach of our youth team. 'It has been a source of pride for Real Madrid to have one of the greatest legends in our history and in world football as our coach and trainer of our youth system. 'Raul also exemplarily represents all of Real Madrid's values. These values he has also instilled as a coach: he managed the Cadete B and Juvenil B teams during the 2018-2019 season. Since then, he has been the coach of Castilla. In addition, in August 2020, he managed the Juvenil A team, with which he won the Youth League. 'Raul will always be in the hearts of all Real Madrid fans, and Real Madrid will always be his home. 'Real Madrid wishes Raul and his family all the best in this new stage of his life.' According to AS, Raul's exit was driven by his frustration at being overlooked for a more senior role — first in 2021 when Zinedine Zidane departed, and now again with Alonso's appointment. Raul leaves after guiding Castilla to a solid 2024–25 campaign, in which they lost just eight of their 38 league matches. Alvaro Arbeloa, who currently coaches the Juvenil A team, is expected to step up and replace Raul at Castilla next season.
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic B decision made ahead of new Lowland League season
The lineup for Scotland's fifth tier was unveiled on Monday. The youngsters were revealed as one of the 18 teams set to compete in the division for the 2025/26 campaign. Heart of Midlothian will once again enter a B team into the league, with the likes of Albion Rovers, Caledonian Braves, and Bo'ness United remaining in place. Read more: The full lineup was recently confirmed: The stage is set… the preparation begins… this is the Scottish Lowland Football League 2025/26! — The Park's Motor Group Scottish Lowland League (@OfficialSLFL) May 26, 2025 Celtic's B side finished second in the table this season, seven points behind eventual winners East Kilbride, who have since been promoted to Scottish League Two through the pyramid play-off after victory over Bonnyrigg Rose. Stephen McManus led Celtic B for 2024/25, as they also reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League. News of their Lowland League participation comes after the club sent a heartfelt message following the terrible events at Liverpool's title parade on Monday evening. A statement read: "Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with Liverpool Football Club, all those people affected and the city of Liverpool following this evening's tragic incident." Liverpool also spoke out on the incident, saying: "We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street, which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. "We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Man Utd starlet at centre of 'tug of war' after being flown out to Spain
Man Utd starlet at centre of 'tug of war' after being flown out to Spain The forward is in demand, it seems, after being included in Craig Bellamy's training camp in Spain Gabriele Biancheri of Manchester United (Image: Getty Images ) Talented Manchester United youngster Gabriele Biancheri has reportedly found himself at the centre of an international tug-of-war. After Craig Bellamy named him in the squad for the Wales training camp in Spain this week, it has emerged that Biancheri has received an invitation to join Canada's squad ahead of their 2025 Canadian Shield friendly tournament in Toronto. Born in Cardiff, the 18-year-old is eligible to represent Wales, Canada (through his mother) and Italy (through his father). However, Press Association reporter Phil Blanche has claimed that Canada, led by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, are keen on the exciting young striker. His football journey began at Cardiff City's academy, where he spent nine years and gained a reputation for being able to find the back of the net. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess was evident early on, netting 17 goals in just 11 matches for Cardiff's under-16s, which led to a swift promotion to the under-21 side . In February 2023, Biancheri made a significant move to Manchester United, joining their esteemed academy, with former Bluebirds academy chief David Hughes having a big say in his signing after his own switch to the Old Trafford club's academy. Article continues below He has continued to impress, featuring for both the under-18 and under-21 teams, with his versatility across the front line and natural goal-scoring ability having made him a standout talent within the club's youth ranks. Internationally, Biancheri has donned the Welsh jersey at under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 and is viewed as one of Wales' most promising young talents, hence Bellamy's desire to involve him in Spain this week. Content cannot be displayed without consent Wales want to nurture a new generation of players, with Biancheri being a central figure in the youth movement. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and there's a growing anticipation about his potential elevation to the senior side. At United, Biancheri's reputation is growing, with the teenager having been instrumental in both the Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League. As he inches closer to a potential first-team debut, the club's coaching staff have waxed lyrical about his trajectory and potential. The coming months will be pivotal for Biancheri. With potential senior call-ups on the horizon and continued performances at the youth level, he stands at the cusp of a significant breakthrough, both on the club and international scene. Bellamy now has the World Cup next year firmly within his sights and the squad-shaping for the qualification process and perhaps the tournament itself, should they be successful, has started now, with a number of highly-promising youngsters invited to the camp in Spain this week. The Wales head coach has invited a number of uncapped, young players on the camp in order to give them greater exposure to that environment. Among them is Biancheri's fellow Cardiff academy graduates Ronan Kpakio, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Luey Giles, Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor, Charlie Crew and Lewys Benjamin – the final two, like Biancheri, have now moved away from Cardiff, with Leeds and Wolves respectively. Article continues below Rhys Thomas (Manchester City), Kai Andrews (Coventry City), Luke Harris (Fulham), Elliot Myles (Norwich City), Sam Parker, Joel Cotterill (both Swansea City) and Freddie Issaka (Plymouth Argyle) are the other young, uncapped talents included.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic star 'spotted at West Ham' as Hoops close in on six figure payout for departing man
The departing Celtic star appeared to watch West Ham as they lost to Nottingham Forrest over the weekend Daniel Cummings was spotted at West Ham's clash with Nottingham Forrest at the weekend as he gets set to leave Celtic for the English Premier League. The striker made his top-team debut for the Hoops in the Champions League this season after running riot for the B-team in the Lowland League and UEFA Youth League. He has 29 goals in 36 appearances for the B side but, other than an 11-minute cameo against Aston Villa and the occasional appearance in the squad, he hasn't been utilised by Brendan Rodgers. That may be down to the fact he is out of contract and all season has looked increasingly set to leave the club with West Ham closing in. And now eagle-eyed fans appear to have spotted him taking in their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. We understand Celtic will bank around £300,000 once the move is sealed with the 19-year-old set to join the Irons despite rival interest from Brighton. It's believed the promise of first-team involvement next season was central to Cummings' decision to swap Glasgow for London. He becomes the latest promising Parkhead talent to move south before really breaking through at Parkhead with Ben Doak and Rocco Vata among the recent departures. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aston Villa show faith in Scots wonderkid as they give ex-Celtic starlet, 18, long-term deal
He looks destined for great things TOP TALENT Aston Villa show faith in Scots wonderkid as they give ex-Celtic starlet, 18, long-term deal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ASTON VILLA have handed a long-term contract to one of their Scottish wonderkids. The Premier League outfit have a number of Scots in their youth ranks, and of course the club captain is Tartan Army hero John McGinn. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Aidan Borland captained Aston Villa's youth side to FA Youth Cup glory Credit: Getty 2 He also made his first team debut earlier this season Credit: PA Kerr Smith joined them from Dundee United in January 2022 and he was followed by Rory Wilson from Rangers and Ewan Simpson from Hearts the following summer. Aidan Borland followed from Celtic a year later and has played every game of their Premier League 2 campaign this season as his remarkable rise continues. Indeed it was he who wore the armband for Villa's FA Youth Cup-winning side last week. The midfielder has already made his first team debut in a Carabao Cup match and Villa fans raved about him - even comparing him to Luka Modric. Borland, 18, signed a new contract this morning that will keep him at Villa Park for the long-term. The Villa Park club in a statement: "Aston Villa is pleased to announce that midfielder Aidan Borland has signed a new long-term contract with the club. "The 18-year-old Scot arrived at Villa from Celtic in August 2023, signing his first professional deal in April last year having established his place in the club's under-21s side as a 16-year-old. "After making his first-team debut against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup in September, the Scotland Under-19 international went on to feature in every Premier League 2 game this season. "He also captained Villa to their fifth FA Youth Cup success this month, and to the UEFA Youth League round of 16 earlier in the season, scoring from the penalty spot at Villa Park in a 3-1 defeat to eventual winners Barcelona." The Birmingham club's academy manager, Mark Harrison, heaped praise on the youngster and called the extension "well deserved". Celtic fans demand 'build him a statue' after Daizen Maeda trolls Rangers during four-in-a-row title party He said: "We are delighted to see Aidan sign a new long-term contract. This is well deserved and a recognition of his development since he joined us. "Aidan is an intelligent central midfield player who is technically proficient and tactically astute. "He has been a regular in our under-21s and under-19 UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup teams, captaining on many occasions, which is a reflection of his leadership skills and maturity on and off the pitch. "He has also represented Scotland at under-19 international level this season." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
