In a press conference dedicated to the retiring Gareth Bale, Wales manager Rob Page insisted that if the chance arose he would welcome Bale to remain around the Welsh squad in a non playing role.
Former Real Madrid and Wales legend Gareth Bale retired from both club and international football on Monday evening, delivering an emotional message on his social media accounts.
Rob Page would talk on Bale’s contribution in his latest press conference saying: “He’s put Wales on the map, globally, what he’s done at Real Madrid, what he’s done at Tottenham and in the World Cup”.
“Not just from a footballing point of view, but from a cultural point of view for Wales in general and everyone should be proud of what he’s done for us.
“I’ve worked for him for a number of years and when I was in the u21’s I could see from afar that he was passionate about playing for his country and now working with him closely I can say it’s another level again”.
Bale would leave a slightly cryptic hint in the announcement of him retiring saying: “I’m stepping back but not away from the team that lives in me and run’s through my veins”.
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) January 9, 2023
Page would respond to the comment saying: “When you’ve got someone of Gareth Bale’s stature with what he’s done for Wales and the impact he’s had, even to have him in the changing room around the players, I’ve got to take advantage of that”.
Page dropped a further hint saying: “He’s interested in doing it, in whatever capacity it is that’s something I’m sure we will chat about in the coming weeks.
“I’d like to keep him involved and there might have been discussions before this about staying involved in some capacity, but the important thing right now is to celebrate his career and what he’s done for us as a nation”.
“We want to let him have some time with his family and when the time is right we’ll have that conversation to how we can keep him involved”.
