Its Official, Raul signs for the Cosmos as a player for 2015 and will also build the training program and academy set up going forward. http://www.nycosmos.com/article/uui...egendary-spanish-striker-raul-gonzalez-blanco “Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously,” Raúl said. “They helped establish soccer in America and I’m honored to follow in their footsteps. I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Yes this signing is significant in two ways. Finishing his playing career with the Cosmos and upon retirement will be in full charge of the Academy. Now only if they can get the stadium to pass and be built
well...maybe not: http://www.empireofsoccer.com/continue-speaking-future-42943/ Both parties took a break in talks shortly after the team won this years NASL Championship. As the Cosmos and Raul took a step back from the negotiating table, the Cosmos board of directors has been busy discussing their approach to the situation.
Kind of figured this would happen. Seemed he was only in NY for the money and had no intention of coaching the academy.
Maybe Real Madrid is offering him more money to be a scout/club ambassador for them, or even possibly a job as a coach in their academy?
http://www.espnfc.us/real-madrid/st...eal-madrid-return-on-hold-to-focus-on-us-role Spain legend Raul Gonzalez says a return to Real Madrid is on hold for the moment -- as he looks forward to the challenge of promoting all of La Liga's clubs in the U.S.
I don't think he "took" the money and left. He did play, and very well I might add. He's working with La Liga in the US so he may still do something with the Cosmos. If not I still wouldn't feel like he owes us anything.
http://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/02/14/in-celebration-of-raul-real-madrids-swashbuckling-icon/ Yes, he has since been surpassed in many ways by the otherworldly talents of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but Raúl was a different player who possessed different talents and deserves to be considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Didn't MLS clubs have similar one and done scenarios pop up? At the end of the day Raul for even 1 year was a win.
Meh. Good for the team, good for the league. Overall I think it worked out well for everyone, though it would have been nice to have him stick around.
I thought they signed Raul to a deal where he would play for a year or two and then take over the Cosmos academy? Don't they have a contract with him?
They did, but Raul decided to take a paid vacation before retiring and retiring home. Took the 5 mil offer without ever intending on running their academy.