SM
Man United vs. Bodo/Glimt: 14 hrs 27 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Zinedine Zidane denies 'disrespecting' Gareth Bale

:Headline: Zinedine Zidane denies 'disrespecting' Gareth Bale: ID:365785: from db_amp
Zidane spoke to reporters ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Arsenal.

Zinedine Zidane has denied disrespecting Gareth Bale and says the Welshman did not play against Bayern Munich last weekend because he did not want to.

The Real Madrid boss told reporters that he would always back his players, after facing criticism over comments about Bale's potential departure from the club.

"I haven't shown a lack of respect towards anyone and particularly not towards a player," he said.

"I've always said the same thing: the players are the most important ones in all of this. Whenever there's a player involved, I'll always back them."

Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett had called Zidane a "disgrace" after the Frenchman revealed transfer talks were under way with an unnamed club.

Zidane said on Sunday that the Spanish side were "working on his (Bale's) departure", adding that he hoped a deal could be struck soon "for everyone's sake".

In response, Barnett told ESPN FC: "Zidane is a disgrace to speak like that about someone who has done so much for Real.

"If and when Gareth goes it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing."

At a press conference on Monday ahead of Real Madrid's International Champions Cup clash with Arsenal, Zidane said he wanted to be "very clear" about the situation.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane faced criticism over his comments on Bale's potential departure (Nick Potts/PA)

"What I said the other day is that the club was working on his exit," he said.

"Gareth didn't come on (against Bayern Munich) because he didn't want to," he added.

"He said that the club was working on his exit and that's why he didn't come on.

"Gareth is a Real Madrid player, he'll train as normal today and we'll have to see what happens tomorrow."

Pressed on whether Bale had asked not to play against Arsenal on Tuesday, he added: "No, he'll train as usual today and we'll see what happens tomorrow. You know all about the situation.

"The club is doing what it has to and that's all there is to it. Bale is currently part of the squad and I respect that. That's the most important thing for me."

Despite being hit by a series of injuries, Bale has helped the Spanish powerhouses win four Champions League titles, the domestic league title and a host of other trophies.

  • Four Champions League titles
  • One LaLiga title
  • Three European Super Cups
  • One Copa del Rey title
  • Three Club World Cups

However, his future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of plenty of speculation in recent years and Zidane said an exit was "for the best for everyone".

Any departure would come six years after Bale arrived from Tottenham in a then world-record £85million deal.

PA understands long-term admirers Manchester United are not interested in the Wales international and a return to Spurs looks unlikely, but odds on a move to German giants Bayern Munich are shortening.

amp_article__365785 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-07-23 05:38:57:
html db last update - 2019-07-23 05:38:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Zinedine Zidane

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .