Gareth Bale lands new job two years on from Wales star's retirement
Wales legend Gareth Bale will be in attendance for Tottenham's Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night
Gareth Bale will hope Spurs win the Europa League on Wednesday
(Image:)
Wales icon Gareth Bale has secured a role as a pundit for the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on Wednesday.
Bale hung up his boots in 2023 following a brief spell with MLS club LAFC. His time at Real Madrid was marked by both brilliance and controversy, clinching five Champions Leagues, three La Ligas, three Club World Cups, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Despite enjoying great success during his nine-year spell in Madrid, Bale's efforts for Los Blancos were not always appreciated. However, on the international stage, the 35-year-old remains beloved by Wales fans after helping steer his country to three major tournaments, including the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and the nation's first World Cup since 1958.
While Welsh football fans need no reminder of Bale's talent, it was with Spurs that he first flourished as a young prospect at club level. The North London club will hold a special place in his heart, having made 237 appearances across two spells at the club, netting 71 goals and providing 53 assists.
Bale was part of the last Spurs squad to win a trophy in the 2008 League Cup final. When he attends Wednesday night's Europa League final, Bale will be hoping that the club's 17-year trophy drought will finally come to an end.
The 35-year-old will join Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle, and Paul Scholes in Bilbao for TNT Sports' coverage of the Europa League final, reports football.london. Since retiring from professional football, Bale has maintained a low profile, making selective appearances as a pundit.
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Bale returned for a second spell at Tottenham later in his career
(Image: Getty Images )
Earlier this season in November 2024, he joined TNT Sports for their coverage of Liverpool's Champions League match against Real Madrid. However, his appearances have been infrequent since then, and this will mark his return to the screen.
The match is high-stakes for both Spurs and United. The two teams have had a challenging Premier League campaigns, to say the least, currently sitting 17th and 16th respectively before the final.
The victorious team will secure a spot in next season's Champions League, which could significantly influence their transfer window strategies. Fans keen to catch the final can do so free of charge in the UK on Wednesday night via the Discovery+ app.
Bale proved to be world-class during his first Premier League spell
(Image: Paul Gilham/Getty Image )
Tottenham have won just one of their last 11 league games, prioritising their European campaign. Postecoglou's side produced impressive performances in their semi-final tie with Bodo/Glimt and have also eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt and AZ Alkmaar during the knockout rounds.
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United's route to the final has been slightly more dramatic. Ruben Amorim's side were on the cusp of being knocked out by Lyon in the quarter-finals before producing an astonishing comeback at Old Trafford, scoring three times in the final six minutes of extra time.
However, they saw off Athletic Bilbao convincingly in the next round, 7-1 on aggregate, to set up a final showdown with Spurs. Bale had a knack for scoring in finals, netting six goals in total during his career.
That included one in the 2014 Champions League final and his brace against Liverpool four years later. He will hope Postecoglou's side can win the trophy, not least because his former Wales team-mates Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson are part of the Spurs squad.
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