by DAVE MARTINEZ

Spanish legend Raul was supposed to take the reigns of the New York Cosmos youth academy upon the end of his playing contract.

That didn’t happen.

However, Raul has consistently said he plans on staying in New York City, leaving a window open for some sort of involvement with the Cosmos.

According to team Sporting Director and Head Coach Giovanni Savarese, those conversations have begun, and the early response has been positive.

“Nothing confirmed, but we have progressed in the possibility for him to be linked with the club, stay with the club in a role where he can advise the youth and still stay on as an ambassador,” Savarese said. “It is something we are still discussing.”

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.

Their conclusion? Both the Cosmos and Raul want to work some kind of deal out.

What that will be is anyone’s guess. However, Savarese is encouraged by the nascent talks and hopes the relationship lives on.

“Nothing else to confirm, but we are in a better situation than we were a few weeks ago in order to materialize that possibility,” he said.