Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is a long time Manchester United transfer target, so today’s headline news emerging from the Santiago Bernabeu has naturally invited more speculation about his future.
Just minutes ago, Real announced that Spain manager Julen Lopetegui will assume the reigns of Los Blancos after the World Cup. He replaces Zinedine Zidane, who shockingly and abruptly left the club on the final day of last month.
Official Announcement: Julen Lopetegui will be the #RealMadrid coach after the celebration of the 2018 World Cup.https://t.co/QcDiu6UjHV pic.twitter.com/iA1PnUdrtT
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) June 12, 2018
The official club announcement reads that “Julen Lopetegui will be the coach of the first team during the next three seasons.”
It was speculated that Zidane’s exit was a death knell for United’s Gareth Bale pursuit, as the Welshman wasn’t regularly in the Frenchman’s first teams. Now it appears that United’s efforts to sign the former Tottenham Hotspur man could be given a boost, due to the appointment of Lopetegui, who apparently isn’t a huge fan.
Look at this quote from noted Spanish football journalist Diego Martinez:
https://twitter.com/DiegoMSport/status/1006551942221492225
The account of the largest independent United supporter web channel, The United Stand, is kind of thinking along similar lines. It’s worth nothing though that Bale has been heavily linked with a return to Tottenham in back page transfer rumors this summer as well.
Julen Lopetegui New Madrid manager! Will take over after managing Spain in the World Cup. Currently managing De Gea….Loves Ronaldo. Didn't like Bale playing ahead of Isco and Assensio. Interesting July ahead#MUFC
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) June 12, 2018
By the way, Zidane has said publicly that he’s unsure about his future, amidst narratives linking him to the France national team job.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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