Gareth Bale’s relationship with Zidane ‘impossible to fix’ after Real Madrid star was benched against Eibar
GARETH BALE'S relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane is "beyond saving", according to reports.
The Welshman has hardly been a factor in LaLiga this season, contributing just two goals and two assists in 15 appearances.
But he was believed to have impressed his team-mates with "renewed energy and motivation" in recent weeks.
According to , however, all of that fire was extinguished when he found out that he had been benched for the weekend's 3-1 victory over Eibar.
And by the time he was summoned in the 61st minute, Bale looked "absent" as he failed to make an impact on the match.
The 30-year-old has never enjoyed a close bond with boss Zidane, with their icy relationship having resumed when the Frenchman returned to the Bernabeu last season.
Bale nearly left the club for a lucrative move to Jiangsu Suning last summer, but was denied when Madrid chiefs pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute.
And with no concrete offers currently on the table, it looks as if the impasse between player and coach is set to continue.
Bale has two years remaining on his Real Madrid contract with his agent Jonathan Barnett having repeatedly reiterated his client's happiness and contentment with his lifestyle in Spain.
To come back and play [in England] would be a big thing but I don’t think he wants to do that at the moment as he’s quite happy to play at Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett
Barnett recently told BBC Radio 4: "I have no idea what his value is.
“His salary is quite high and also where he wants to go is very important in his life. I can’t put a figure on it.
“It’s for the clubs to decide what they want to pay for him.
"As I’ve always said, he’s quite happy at Madrid. He has a very nice lifestyle, I don’t see why he wouldn’t see his career out in Madrid probably.
“It’s his life that he wants to lead. Financially he will want enough for the rest of his life and all his children and grandchildren. He’s won nearly everything in the world except the World Cup.
“To come back and play [in England] would be a big thing but I don’t think he wants to do that at the moment as he’s quite happy to play at Real Madrid.”
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As for Zidane, it appears that Bale is not the only player that has recently drawn his ire.
He was reportedly left fuming after his side's second-half display against Eibar at the weekend.
With Los Blancos having loosened their grip on the match in the second period, Zizou is believed to have vented his rage at his players after the match... despite having come out with a 3-1 win.