"When I returned to take charge at Real Madrid in the 2006-07 season it appeared that the absolute priority was to loan out Raul," the former Real Madrid boss wrote in his column in sports daily Marca on Sunday.

"Why? Because of his age and because his salary was seen to be too large in comparison to his performances on the pitch."

"In the first meeting I had with the club president (Ramon Calderon) and the technical staff I expressed my doubts about what they told me and said that a 30-year-old player of his class and personality was vital for the team. But they told me he was a player in decline."

Raul has been far from his renowned form for the past couple of years but he managed to bounce back at the end of last season and registered one of his best ever starts this season scoring 8 goals in 15 games.

"In the end, the year we spent together was enough to confirm everything positive I had expected from him. Raul is an exceptional player and he is proving that again this season, silencing the sceptics and critics."