Wales boss Rob Page has confirmed that Gareth Bale will not be returning to the nation’s set-up as a coach following rumours of a move to Wrexham.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid winger announced his retirement back in January following a glittering career. He confirmed the end of his playing career in a lengthy statement on social media at the age of 33.
Despite deciding to hang up his boots, there were rumours that Bale could make a swift return to the game. Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney attempted to lure him out of retirement following the Welsh club’s promotion to the Football League.
Elsewhere, Wales head coach Page suggested that he was open to welcoming Bale into the international fold at some point in the near future, potentially as a coach. Speaking in January, he said: “When you have somebody of Gareth Bale’s stature, I have to take advantage of that.
“In what capacity, that is something we will have a chat about further down the line in the next couple of weeks. I would like to keep him involved.”
However, the prospect of Bale returning any time soon appears somewhat remote. Speaking ahead of this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey, Page confirmed that the ex-winger would not be stepping into coaching in the immediate future but is open to discussions later down the line.
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“I spoke to Gareth on Monday and I'm due to have another conversation with him this week,” he said. “Nothing particular or specific, just a general.
“He's open to conversations and he wants to play a part in the future, but not from a coaching point of view. For me to have another voice from the outside watching things is beneficial. He's enjoying his retirement.”
Bale has certainly been busy since hanging up his boots. He made his debut at a PGA Tour event earlier this year, whilst a video of him celebrating a hole in one also went viral.
His agent Jonathan Barnett has already confirmed that football is off the agenda for the time being. Speaking to Sky Sports last month, he said: "I think for him, it [retirement] was the right time.
“He's achieved everything he wanted to achieve -- he played for Wales at the highest level of the World Cup, which is what he really wanted to do, and I think he knew his body wasn't up to it anymore. He's had a hard time with his body the last few years.
"He's had a great career. He's enjoyed himself, but he is having a great life now. He is with his family, which is the most important thing. He's spending a lot of time with his children and that's what he wants to do.
"Yes, he'll do other things, obviously later down the line, but at the moment, let him just enjoy himself."
