BALE ROW WITH REAL AND ZIDANE
AFULL-BLOWN row has erupted between Gareth Bale and Real Madrid after his agent Jonathan Barnett labelled Bernabeu boss Zinedine Zidane “a disgrace”.
Bale’s representative hit out following Zidane’s attempt to push the Wales star through the exit door with immediate effect.
Having left Bale out of the 3-1 preseason loss to Bayern Munich in Houston, Zidane said the player had to leave the club — and the sooner the better.
Forcing Bale to watch the game up in the stands shocked the Spanish media and was seen as a power play by Zidane.
It came after the Welshman had tweeted photos of himself scoring goals and looking sharp in training.
The Real manager gave 22 other players a run out, 11 in the first half and a completely different 11 in the second period.
But Bale remained ostracised. “Bale did not play because he is very close to leaving,” said Zidane in no-holds-barred comments after the game.
“We hope he leaves soon, it would be best for everyone.
“If it’s tomorrow then the better. Better for him too.
“I am the coach and I have spoken to the club.
“The decision is the coach’s.” The comments provoked an angry response from Barnett, who the Sun reported as branding Zidane a “disgrace”.
They quoted Barnett as saying: “He shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid.
“If and when Gareth goes it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing.”
Asked about whether Bale was close to leaving Madrid, he said: “We are working on it.”
Manchester United and Tottenham are both thought to be in the market to buy Bale, although the asking
price and his wages could prove a stumbling block.
Bale has also been heavily linked with a move to an unnamed Chinese Super League club, where money would be no object although the quality of football would be open to question. A move to Bayern Munich, possibly on loan for the season, could prove the compromise package.
There are mounting suggestions Bale’s time in Spain could come to an end within the next 24-48 hours.