Not many players can say they have won the Champions League five times and played under two of football's most prolific managers, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
One of them is Gareth Bale, who despite all his accolades and time under managerial greatest, has not named Mourinho or Ancelotti his favourite manager.
Bale was named Welsh Footballer of the Year a record six times.
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Bale was named Welsh Footballer of the Year a record six times.Credit: AFP
During a quick-fire style interview with Rio Ferdinand, shared on X by TNT Sports, Bale was asked who was the manager he played under and why.
Bale replied: “There’s probably a personal answer for me which would be Chris Coleman.
“Because we had such a great relationship. We qualified for a major tournament for the first time in 58 years.
“I felt like I was the focal point of the team and yeah what we achieved was incredible, so for me, it was Chris Coleman.”
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This answer may come as a surprise but many will know how much of a proud Welshman Bale truly is.
His numerous achievements with the likes of Real Madrid famously never topped his love for the Dragons.
Coleman was appointed Wales manager in 2012 and guided them to their best-ever position on the FIFA World Rankings, 8th, in 2015.
That same year, their qualification for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament was confirmed, a first tournament qualification since 1958.
The team came first in their group in France and eliminated Northern Ireland and Belgium to reach the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Portugal.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti signed Bale from Tottenham for what was then a world record fee of £86 million in 2013.
During Bale’s first two seasons at the club, he scored 39 goals in 92 games across all competitions.
In an interview with Sky Sports in 2021, Bale was asked about Ancelotti returning to Real Madrid for a second spell as manager.
He said: “I know Carlo Ancelotti is a great manager. I get on with him well, we had some great times in the past.
“He's returned to Real Madrid and he's a great guy.
"We had a great time together at Real Madrid and I'm sure he's going to be amazing in charge there.”
Bale and Mourniho's paths crossed when the 35-year-old returned to Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, having spent 6 years at the club previously, in 2020.
Gareth Bale's club managers
Steven Cherundolo
José Mourinho
Ryan Mason
Julen Lopetegui
Santiago Solari
Rafael Benítez
Zinédine Zidane
Carlo Ancelotti
André Villas-Boas
Harry Redknapp
Martin Jol
Juande Ramos
George Burley
He came off the bench to score the winner in Tottenham's 2–1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion in November, his first goal since returning to the club.
After the game, Mourinho was full of praise for Bale and even aimed a cheeky dig at Real Madrid.
Mourinho said: "I am pleased for him because he deserved that. When I have five minutes I am going to Safari to look at Madrid's website to see what they say.
"He knows we care about him and we know he cares about us, the team and the club, Spurs. He's the perfect fit, he's very calm, very intelligent, he has good feelings."
Bale also scored his 200th career goal during this time back at Spurs, during a 3–3 draw against LASK in the Europa League.
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In January 2023, Bale announced he would be retiring from professional football.
He was the top goalscorer for Wales in the qualifying rounds for UEFA Euro 2016
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He was the top goalscorer for Wales in the qualifying rounds for UEFA Euro 2016Credit: Getty
Having played under numerous top managers during his career, it’s clear his love for Wales will always come out on top.