The Welsh coach spoke on the El Transistor de Onda Cero radio show offering in-depth analysis to the player he capped for Wales as a 17-year-old.
John Toshack was the guest on the late night radio show El Transistor on the Onda Cero where he spoke in depth about Real Madrid's Gareth Bale. Toshack was the Wales national team boss who gave the then 17-year-old Gareth Bale his international debut in the national team and has been following the player's progression in detail.
Are you contemplating a return to coaching? "Coach again? To be honest, I'm nearly 70 and so much has changed. Coaching these days is a different proposition and one has to deal with 21-year-old's who already super rich".
Swansea and Real Sociedad: "Clubs where I have my best memories, I spent some wonderful years with both sides".
Your style of coaching: "I was actually a bit of a bastard, but a nice one, there is an important difference".
You gave Bale his international debut: "Yes, at the age of just 17, Gareth secured his first cap playing on the left side. He's a great player when he's fit".
Bale and injuries: "Many of his injuries are based on strange gestures".
He doesn't speak Spanish: "When you move to a foreign team and out of respect for the fans, one needs to make an effort to speak the language in question. Bale needs to make an effort".
Bale's career hampered by injury: "It's true that Bale is an exceptionally talented player but injuries have certainly taken their toll".
The best player you've worked with: "A difficult one but I'd say Arconada, Bebeto at Deportivo and possibly Naybet too...".
Todorov
57
Bale is already 6 years in Spain and can’t say a word in spanish, Ronaldo just joined Juventus and he is already speaking italian. The difference between a winner and a average... Bale is just lazy ass, there is no excuse for not learning spanish in 6 years, it’s not easy to learn new language, but it’s not inpossible, especially when you have millions in your bank account and you can afford the best spanish teachers.
Tottenham-Eriksen
46
Bale is always alone in madrid because he can not speak Spanish.Even Kroos learned Spanish and go to Play with Vazquez......
darknesss
43
Not even trying to learn the language is pure laziness . Saying some people arent cut out for it is just an excuse. Look at everyone in Scandinavia and/or Holland who speak near perfect English in most cases. We brits are comfortably the laziest of the lot.
visaklprs
41
i think bale should learn from this british guys who has played for RM for the pasted, eg: David beckham. mc manaman. m. owen.
ointmentae
39
Well Bale would not be in the dressing room out injured half the time, so who's beside Bale?