Gareth Bale was "devastated" by Rafael Benitez's sacking, and newspaper reports suggest Manchester United are preparing to renew their efforts to lure him to Old Trafford. So what does the future hold for the Welshman? We examine his prospects following the appointment of Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu…
Gareth Bale's brilliant headed goal in Real Madrid's dramatic 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday was a mere footnote in the fallout of Rafael Benitez's last match in charge, but for the Welshman it was the latest positive in what has been an impressive season so far.
Amid the drama and discord of Benitez's brief tenure, Bale's resurgence was a rare cause for optimism at the club. The 26-year-old became a scapegoat for Madrid's struggles last season as he wilted in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, but he began to flourish in a more central role under the new manager having been confined to the right flank by Carlo Ancelotti.
Injuries have interrupted Bale's campaign, but he is fit and firing now, and his looping header at the Mestalla was his ninth goal in just 13 La Liga appearances. He has also added seven assists. Neymar is the only player in the division to have had a direct hand in goals at a higher rate, and Bale is already close to matching his own totals for the whole of last season, when he netted 13 times and provided nine assists in 31 games.
So when the news surfaced that Bale was left "devastated" by Benitez's departure, it was not too much of a surprise. The former Liverpool manager's failure to appease Ronaldo was one of the factors that ultimately led to his sacking, but he was certainly fulfilling Florentino Perez's brief to get the best out of Bale, who, according to Guillem Balague, was also encouraged by the team ethic the 55-year-old was building.
Bale could be excused for doubting whether a former Galáctico is likely to continue fostering that collective mentality in the absence of Benitez, but he only needs to cast his mind back to the spring of 2013 for a reminder of just how highly he is rated by Zinedine Zidane, who was the club's sporting director at the time.
"This year the player who's impressed me most is not actually playing in the Champions League, he's playing in 'the other cup' and that's Bale," Zidane told Sky Sports. "He's unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space.
"Plus, he's very good technically which is also important. We mustn't forget that he plays football very well! And he's really impressed me. I've seen him two or three times live, including recently at Lyon, which wasn't necessarily his best game, but where every time he got the ball he can surprise you."
Bale's record-breaking transfer from Tottenham to the Bernabeu was completed just a few months later, and, two-and-a-half years on, he can take further encouragement from Zidane's comments at his first press conference as Madrid manager on Tuesday.
"Gareth was disappointed with the sacking of Rafa because he was an important coach for him but I will treat him the same way Rafa did," said Zidane. "He is an important player and a key player for the squad. He's phenomenal and we're going to give him all the care and support he needs."
But despite the emphatic backing of his new manager, speculation surrounding Bale's future is likely to continue throughout the January transfer window. His unhappiness at Benitez's sacking will certainly have given hope to Manchester United, whose interest in Bale dates back to his Spurs days, and a return to the Premier League would certainly make sense if he were to leave Madrid.
According to Balague, however, the recent leaks from Bale's camp are more of a safety measure than a come-and-get-me plea. "Putting him in the market is the logical next step if you're the representative of Gareth Bale, because if it doesn't work out he's not going to be happy," he told Sky Sports.
"So then perhaps the next question is who is willing to pay a hundred-odd million pounds for him? But Real Madrid have got no intention whatsoever to let him go, that's what they're saying at the moment, and he wants to be there, that's the latest I heard from him."
Bale's prospects could be further boosted by what happens in the summer, with speculation suggesting Ronaldo could depart the club, leaving Bale with even more responsibility. And with FIFA investigating Madrid's dealings involving young players, Balague also points out that the threat of a transfer ban could further accelerate Perez's plans to build his side around their No 11.
"If they get banned it won't be now or in the summer but it may well be next winter," said Balague. "So in the summer Real Madrid will have the opportunity to build a team for two or three years. That means going with the plans they have at the moment: to get rid of Cristiano, Karim Benzema, perhaps even Toni Kroos and some others, but leave somebody who, in the eyes of Florentino, can still be head of this project. That is Gareth Bale."
The weeks and months ahead will give Bale a clearer picture of what the future holds, but while Benitez's departure was a blow, there is plenty of evidence to suggest he might be better off ignoring overtures from the Premier League for now.
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