Chris Coleman has defended Gareth Bale s reserved nature and revealed the oft-criticised Real Madrid winger can speak perfect Spanish.
Wales star Bale almost left LaLiga for China during a turbulent close season in which Zinedine Zidane attempted to force him out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
The pair s relationship reportedly became fractured as Madrid fans showed increasing coldness towards the four-time Champions League winner, their treatment of him described as a disgrace by the player s agent.
Criticism of Bale has tended to centre on his speculated inability to learn Spanish as part of a wider reluctance to integrate into the country s culture.
Coleman, who managed the former Tottenham talisman for over five years at international level, believes such accusations are at least in part unfounded.
I saw John Toshack saying Gareth hasn t given enough of himself to the public in Madrid, the former Wales boss told The Athletic.
Well he s never done that. It s not his character. When he comes home he plays golf, stays with his family, in his little circle.
I just thought it was unfair when people were picking him apart. He should do this, do that. No, be yourself. If he s not happy in his head he won t be right on the pitch.
years of at !
14 titles
104 goals
234 matches
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
I ve been with Gareth in Madrid, in a restaurant, and he s speaking perfect Spanish, ordering food, greeting people.
He was very polite, but it s his own space. He has done all his talking on the pitch. He is the most decorated foreign import from the UK.
Bale was Coleman s key man when Wales exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2016.
Coleman stepped down the following November to take up an ill-fated opportunity at Sunderland, with Ryan Giggs named as his replacement.
Performances have not been entirely convincing but the former Fulham manager expects his successor to prove a shrewd appointment.
I think he ll be good at it, Coleman said. He is different to me and will do it his own way. Ryan s quiet, but he s super strong mentally.
He added: Ryan s ego is not big enough where he thinks he s got all the answers, because none of us have. This is his first job, we mustn t forget that. He s going to get better and better.
