Gareth Bale needs to use 'common sense' and manage his game time ahead of World Cup, says Rob Page
- Sean Fisher
- 7 June 2022
After helping Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years, Rob Page has urged Gareth Bale to manage his own club minutes this season in order to be fresh for the tournament.
Gareth Bale was Wales' star man again on Sunday evening, with his deflected free-kick giving the hosts a 1-0 win over Ukraine to send them to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
It was a result Bale himself described as the "greatest in Welsh footballing history", and the 32-year-old can now look forward to playing in the tournament for the first time in his career.
Paired with England, Iran and the United States in Group B, Wales will have to defy the odds if they are to progress past the group stage of the tournament, but with a fit and firing Bale anything is possible.
That's exactly what Welsh manager Rob Page expressed ahead of his side's Nations League match against the Netherlands, with the 47-year-old urging his star player to keep fit over the next five months in preparation for the World Cup.
We’re going to the @FIFAWorldCup! A dream come true! @Cymru 🏴🐉 pic.twitter.com/IODneQsKcx
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 6, 2022
"I have said that to Aaron (Ramsey) and Gareth (about being managed), because clubs must be looking at it thinking, 'How can they do that for their country?" said Page.
"Don't get me wrong, I have been a club manager myself and it is hard.
"When you are trying to create that environment and you have got other world-class players around you.
"It is harder to do that at a club where you do have to have that blanket over the players and say, 'This is how we are going to do things and train today'.
"No disrespect to our changing rooms, but we haven't got 10 other Gareth Bales.
When time stood still 🏴 @GarethBale11 | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/qiwO8s2dyE
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 7, 2022
"That is going to be his difficulty, finding someone who will manage him like that. He has to take that responsibility himself. That will determine then whether he plays a lot of football.
"For me it is a common sense approach, it is looking after him throughout the week to make sure he is available for selection for the weekend."
Page also insisted that Bale is still in good enough shape to play Premier League football after his Real Madrid departure, but it's Championship side Cardiff City that has been most heavily linked with the five-time Champions League winner.
Bale's agent stated that his client's next move "won't be for money", and returning to his Welsh roots could be the perfect environment for Bale to stay fit and healthy ahead of the World Cup start in November.
