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Real Madrid legend Raúl rejected the chance to join Leeds United as he knows he could be in line to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the coming months.

That’s according to Real Madrid fan site Defensa Central, who say the Spaniard decided to turn down the offer to take charge at Elland Road ‘for a reason’.

A report from Spain yesterday made it clear that Raúl had been offered the job by those in charge at Leeds as they look to replace Jesse Marsch quickly but he had rejected it because he did not feel the timing was right.

DC pick up on that today and say while that is indeed the case and he didn’t want to leave his current role with Castilla midway through a promotion charge, that is not the only reason for the decision.

He is also ‘aware’ that a great year with the reserve team, even more so if they are crowned as champions, would allow him to ‘climb the ladder’ at the Bernabeu in the future.

That’s because the pressure is currently on Carlo Ancelotti, whose side have fallen behind Barcelona in the title race. That has led to suggestions the Italian coach could be moved on.

While that is happening, Raúl is becoming ‘more and more valued’ and if Madrid were to fall short in La Liga and the Champions League, Ancelotti would not have his continuity assured for next season.

That means Raúl wants to sit back and see what happens, knowing that his stock is likely to be high if he can secure promotion. His role with Castilla has already made him ‘one of the most attractive’ options in terms of younger coaches and success this year would only add to that.

Thus he decided to ‘turn down the offer’ from Leeds and bide his time, knowing he could be in line for the big job if things fall his way in the coming months.