Raul backs Laudrup for Real Madrid job

Real Madrid captain Raul has tipped Michael Laudrup to be the club's next coach.

Laudrup, currently in charge of Brondby, is on the shortlist of candidates to succeed Juan Ramon Lopez Caro next season.

Raul said: "Why could he not coach Madrid? He has already shown he knows what to do and I like his philosophy. If he wishes to return to Spain, I would welcome him.

"I think that he could do great things at Madrid. People have not forgotten what he did for this club."

Raul added: "He is probably the best player I have played with and is a great person. I will never forget how he helped me."

Liverpool boss Benitez wants Real’s Raul

European Champions League holders Liverpool have set their sights on Spanish forward Raul Gonzalez, who appears to be no longer wanted at Real Madrid, the Daily Mirror reported Wednesday.

The Mirror said Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, who knows Raul well from his time as Real's B-team coach, wants the 28-year-old to spearhead a new-look attack.

Real are set to off-load several stars in summer and according to the report Liverpool aim to reshape their attack, with Benitez ready to let go of Djibril Cisse, Robbie Fowler and Fernando Morientes.

The Mirror said that Liverpool would join a bidding race for Raul because they believe Real will let him go for a free transfer.

Raul was the only local “Galactico” on the team of Real, for which he has played 12 years. But the record scorer in the Champions League with 51 goals is no longer a regular starter in Madrid.

Raul to make World Cup squad, says coach

Spain coach Luis Aragones says captain Raul Gonzalez will make his World Cup squad even though the striker has been recently dropped by Real Madrid.

Raul has struggled to find form since returning from serious left knee damage — his worst injury in an 11-year career — sustained against FC Barcelona in November.

He was omitted from Madrid's team, which drew 1-1 with Barcelona last Saturday. It was the first time he had been dropped in 30 games against the Catalan powerhouse.

``I know he will play again, that he'll be in Madrid's first team in what remains of the league and I'm sure he will go to the World Cup. He'll earn it,'' Aragones was quoted as saying by sports daily As on Tuesday.

Aragones said it was ``possible'' Raul wouldn't be picked if Spain's opening game in the tournament was to be played now.

Lavish in praise

But the coach praised Raul, who is Spain's all-time leading scorer with 42 goals in 92 internationals, for his display and headed goal in the 1-1 draw with Serbia-Montenegro in a World Cup qualifier last September.

``He almost won single-handed the match with Serbia not so long ago. He is a fundamental player for us,'' Aragones said.

Spain's opening game in the World Cup is against Ukraine on June 14. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are also in Group H. — AP