Bale ‘cost boss job’
GARETH BALE has been blamed for Real Madrid’s El Clasico humiliation and last night’s sacking of boss Julen Lopetegui.
Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing in Barcelona proved too much for Bernabeu chiefs, with Lopetegui overseeing the club’s worst start to a season since 2001-02.
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is the favourite to take over.
Real legend Jorge Valdano blasted £86million Bale. He said: “We keep looking at Bale because of his price tag and that’s created this illusion he’s some sort of world superstar. But the last five years aren’t reflective of what Madrid paid for him.”
Lopetegui will be “provisionally replaced” by former Real player Santiago Solari, currently coach of B team Castilla.
Lopetegui has lost two jobs in less than five months. He was fired as Spain coach the day before the World Cup started for not telling the country’s FA he was moving to Real. NEMANJA MATIC has told Anthony Martial to start believing he is one of the best players in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old star is in red-hot form after scoring four goals in his last four games, and yet still suffers from a major lack of confidence.
That is the view of Martial’s Manchester United team-mate, Matic, who insists the Frenchman does not “understand” just how good he actually is.
It could be from Martial suffering under Jose Mourinho, as the United boss has often left him on the bench, but the forward is back in favour at Old Trafford.
United are desperately trying to tie down the £58million star to a new contract, as his current deal expires next summer, although there is a 12-month option to extend it.
But Matic believes it is time Martial stepped forward and became one of United’s main men after the France international scored yet another wonder goal against Everton on Sunday.
Matic said: “Anthony is a great player and he needs to understand that. He needs more confidence.
He is still young and I think if he continues to score in the next games he will get that.
“If he reaches his top level he can be one of the best players in the league for sure. Sometimes I don’t think he understands how good he is.
“He is quick, he is good with the ball, he can run. He has everything a United player needs. Sometimes
I don’t think he understands that. If I had his ability with the ball, and was as quick as him, I wouldn’t pass to anyone and would score every game!
“To be serious, he does need more confidence and this comes with results. When you don’t have results, it is very difficult for players to have that high confidence. If we can get results over the next few games, and improve as a team, he will show he is very important for us.
“The manager speaks with him about it. But he is a great guy and I am happy for him that he is scoring.
“The quality is there, and he just needs to be more consistent. I am glad we have him in the team. In 5 December 1995 (age 22)
Place of birth Massy, France Height 5ft 11in
Playing position Forward
Years Matches Gls 2012–13 Lyon B .......... 11 5 2013 Lyon ................... 3 0 2013 Monaco B ........... 4 3 2013–15 Monaco ...... 49 11 2015– Man utd ......... 93 28 INTERNATIONAL CAREER France U16...17 9 France U17 ...13 9 France U18 ... 4 3 France U19 ......... 5 0 France U21..12 4 France ............. 18 1 football and in life you have difficult times and have to get back on track and that is exactly what he is doing.”
Matic, 30, has a similar message for Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium striker was dropped against Everton, but midfielder Matic insists he will soon start scoring again.
“He is a great player,” said Matic. “He has scored a lot of goals for United, so I don’t see any problems for him. He’s a great guy who works hard for the team. Sometimes he doesn’t get the goals but he is still working for us. He will start to score again soon. I believe that.”
Mourinho only ever seems one bad result away from a crisis but Matic believes victory over Everton suggests they are finally gaining momentum.
He added: “When you win, the atmosphere is always better. We have Bournemouth away next and need to be ready.
“We showed against Everton we can play good football and we will look to continue.”