The wheels have finally come off for Julen Lopetegui and his time at Madrid, with his side's 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona at the weekend the final nail in the coffin for the Spaniard.
As people look to point the finger after a disastrous start to the season, ex-Real president Jorge Valdano believes that Gareth Bale's poor form is somewhat to blame for Los Blancos current situation.
Speaking on Spanish radio station Onda Cero, Valdano cited the Welshman's role in Barca's opener, stating that the forward neglected his defensive duties during the goal:
Bale is one of many players at Madrid who play very freely. He had the job to follow Jordi Alba, and his concentration lasted just seven minutes.
Alba was completely free to set up the first goal. There are players in the squad who, like Bale, think they are so important they can do whatever they want. That goes against the collective.
Valdano put the boot in further with more harsh words for the former Tottenham star, arguing that the player has failed to show his worth in his five seasons at the club:
Bale’s price gave the fantasy that he is world-class. But his last five seasons do not match what Real Madrid paid for him.
He can score the goal of the season any year, and that must be applauded, but [players like] Sergio Ramos are consistent throughout the season and have also scored historic goals for Real Madrid.
The 63-year-old's stinging criticism hasn't been taken lying down, with Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett issuing a salty response to Valdano's comments when question on ESPN:
It comes from nothing, so it is taken as nothing.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Barnett took that remark with a saucer of milk.
Barnett also revealed to ESPN that Bale has nothing to say about the current managerial vacancy at the Bernabeu. Antonio Conte has been heavily linked with the position, though recent reports claim that a deal for the Italian is stalling over opposition from key players.
