Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Gareth Bale, Wales
Daniel Marland
Gareth Bale has already been offered a new role in football despite recently announcing his retirement.
The former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and LAFC forward confirmed he would be calling time on his glittering career in a statement on Monday.
Bale won a whopping 18 major honours in 17 years, with 16 coming with Real Madrid. He moved to the Spanish capital in 2013 for £86 million, a world-record fee at the time.
Advert
What could define Bale's legacy are his 111 appearances and 41 goals for the Wales national team.
He helped guide them to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and played a vital role in their qualification for the 2022 World Cup, Wales' first World Cup since 1958.
Bale scored Wales' only goal in the tournament from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw against the USMNT.
Advert
Fitting his final professional goal came for the national team he gave everything to. Bale decided to step away from the game after struggling with fitness in recent years. He played 12 times for LAFC in the MLS, winning the MLS Cup, before hanging up his boots.
Wales manager Robert Page is already angling to keep Bale involved with the national side. He's asked if the ex-winger would like to return in a coaching or ambassadorial role as Wales look to qualify for Euro 2024.
Page explained: "I've had that conversation, but I would love him still to be involved in some capacity. Now what that role is, we don't know yet.
Advert
"He just needs some time with his family. It's a big adjustment for him, training every day to go into a normal-ish life and doing the school run, but we'll have another conversation with him in a few weeks.
"We'll make a plan moving forward because he's got so much to offer. Even his presence in the dressing room, the hotel environment is something I would be really keen on to keep him involved, but I'll leave it up to Gareth and what suits him and his family. I think he would be keen as well."
Page then referred to Thierry Henry's role as the Belgium assistant manager under Roberto Martinez as an example to follow.
Advert
He continued: "You've seen Belgium do it with Thierry Henry. Ex-players stepping up, whether it's a coaching role, an ambassadorial role, or being part of a committee making decisions.
"I'm sure the FAW (Football Association of Wales) would also be keen to keep Gareth involved in some capacity."