Gareth Bale will have to put in the hard yards of coaching if he wants to become a future Wales manager.
In his beloved golf parlance, there are sure to be a few bunkers along the way to transform his playing lustre into a successful coaching career. In eulogising one of the greats of Welsh football, Ian Rush insists the talk of Bale one day being in charge of the Dragons is not a done deal.
Rush said: “If you are going to manage Wales, or any club side for that matter, you’ve got to put in the hard work and take your coaching badges. If he’s (Bale) willing to do that, then yes, he could eventually become a Wales manager.
“But I know, from personal experience, it’s not easy going through your coaching badges. I know how difficult it can be. Because he is such a big name and if he goes into coaching, some people will say, ‘Why is he prepared to do all that?’. In order to become a top coach, you’ve got to go to the bottom of the coaching rung and start learning.”
Bale has yet to confirm his next move after quitting as a player at all levels of the game at the age of 33. Rush added: “To announce his retirement now, he must have something on the agenda. He might need a rest for a few months, a case of recharging the batteries and seeing what’s out there. After, no doubt, a few months of playing golf, he will decide what he wants to do.”
The Liverpool legend, who saw Bale overtake his own Wales record as the country’s all-time leading scorer, is not surprised at his decision to call time on his career. “He started playing at the top level as a young kid and it appears his body has had enough,” said Rush.
“The same thing happened with Michael Owen. I was lucky, I played until I was 38. With Gareth going and maybe Aaron Ramsey as well with Wales, it leaves a huge hole, but it can be exciting as well.
“It’s time for a new generation to come through. That’s what the manager Rob Page has got to deal with. We are now looking for a new Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey – that’s what it’s all about.
“Players come and go – it’s been no different down the years. They have both been great servants to the country. Wales have been very lucky, in particular, to have had Gareth.”
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And, for Rush, Bale is right up there in the pantheon of Wales greats. “It’s all about different generations and it’s hard to compare players,” he admitted.
“I didn’t realise until later what a great player John Charles was. Looking back and reflecting on his achievements, you can see what an iconic figure he was. His achievements at Juventus were incredible and it’s similar to what Gareth did at Real Madrid.
“Both John Charles and Gareth Bale got to play in World Cups. When Brazil beat Wales in the 1958 World Cup quarter-final, John Charles was injured, which was a real blow. Who knows what would have happened if he had been fit?
“And Gareth has to be right up there with the best. I’d like to think that I would also get a mention. I couldn’t take a free kick like Gareth, but I could score goals.
“He is the record goalscorer and also holds the record when it comes to appearances, so when you put those two together, it’s a pretty compelling argument in his favour when you talk about being the very best.”
The only blot on the Bale landscape is how he is perceived by some Real Madrid fans when, after a frustrating spell, he unveiled a banner in which Wales and golf headed life at the Santiago Bernabeu for the mercurial forward.
“He lived for Welsh football,” Rush said. “Sadly, some of the Real Madrid fans don’t show him the respect he deserves for winning five Champions Leagues. No one can argue with that. I know he had a few up and downs there, but just take a look at what he has won for Madrid.”
When it comes to Wales, there are no arguments.
