by DAVE MARTINEZ

Raul’s future will be in New York City, but it is not the role anyone would have imagined.

The former New York Cosmos striker has been named the new General Director for La Liga in the United States by league President, Javier Tebas.

“Raul is coming to direct our offices in the United States,” Tebas told reporters. “It isn’t important because an icon of world football will be running the show. Instead, it is because he will be a great manager. He will have a direct relationship with our broadcasters, will be close to the institutions of soccer in the United States, will work with of our attorneys to try and stave off piracy, and also to coordinate with schools and work with media relations.”

While that seems a laundry list of duties, Raul will mainly be concerned with promoting La Liga as a whole.

“The easiest thing for me to do would have been to hang up my boots and become a coach,” Raul explained. “But this, for me, is a more important challenge. I am uniting with one of the most important brands in the world. It is a road that will enrich me more so if I one day decide to become a manager.

“It is time to take on new challenges,” he continued. “New, and different things await me, but we will have a great team. We will work together to expand the brand in the United States.”

On the surface, Raul’s new role may seem to spell the end of his potential involvement with the New York Cosmos academy.

However, the star striker will be in New York for three more years, coinciding with his original deal with the Cosmos. While Tebas describes a a gargantuan position for Raul as their U.S. representative, Raul’s take is more demure; the kind of role one would use to describe a brand ambassador. Last month, club Sporting Director Giovanni Savarese said the Cosmos made “progress” in securing Raul in an ambassador/youth advisement role. It is entirely feasible that Raul take a more reduced role than originally agreed with the club while tending to his duties with La Liga.

Of course, we will be following this story as it unfolds. For now, what is your take Cosmos fans?