Will the legendary Raúl go in the same direction as Xabi Alonso?

After sensational seasons, a hard sobering. After their historic promotion to the German elite, Union Berlin quickly managed to become one of the top clubs in the Bundesliga and this year they are playing in the Champions League. However, it is not doing well at all in the league and is one of the worst clubs. Can Raúl González Blanco turn this around?

After a brilliant rise, a cruel and swift fall? It almost looks like it. Union Berlin made it to the Bundesliga in 2019. In the very first season, they finished in 11th position, but this has gradually improved. The second season meant seventh place and qualification for the Conference League.

The third season was even better. Fifth place was enough to qualify for the Europa League. Last season Union finished fourth and this season they are playing in the Champions League. But it’s not doing well there and it’s no different in the Bundesliga.

The team from Berlin has only won six points in eleven games. Union won the first two rounds, but since then they have only lost. Poor form cost the job of coach Urs Fischer, whom the club parted with all honour and appreciation. It was a parting with grace.

But what’s next? There are several options in play. Berlin side could see a great legend. In fact, German publication Bild speculates that Raúl González Blanco could take over the Union.

Will Raúl follow the same path as Xabi Alonso?

Raúl is a Real Madrid legend, having played in Germany in the past. He hasn’t coached an A-team yet. A stint in Germany would be a big test for him. Does this situation remind you of anything? Well, it’s no coincidence. So is Xabi Alonso, who is now successfully coaching Bayer Leverkusen.

For Alonso, Leverkusen is his first job. He used to play for Bayern Munich. Now, under him, the traditional German team is running better than a Swiss watch. He hasn’t lost in eleven rounds and he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Moreover, Xabi took over Bayer at a time when it seemed that the team would struggle to stay up. It was a big challenge, but one that shows his quality. Will Raúl do the same? That is the question. This season he has already been linked with taking over Schalke, his former club, but he has rejected the alleged offer.

The reason? With little coaching experience, he didn’t find it quite ideal to take on such a demanding task in such a situation. So Union could have refused for the same reasons, although it has to be said that there is a difference between the Bundesliga and the second German league.

However, it is worth noting that there is heated speculation in Spain that Raúl could take over the A-team from Carlo Ancelotti.

Should Raúl not sign for the Berlin club, names like Alfred Schreuder and Oliver Glasner are thought to be in play.

Source: Bild, Bundesliga