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Gareth Bale won’t return to Tottenham because of Mauricio Pochettino

By Rucker Haringey

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid shoots on goal under pressure from Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid shoots on goal under pressure from Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
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Gareth Bale would prefer a move to Manchester United or Chelsea

I must confess that when news broke of Gareth Bale’s preference to move to Manchester United or Chelsea over a Tottenham return my feelings were hurt. After all, there’s a wonderfully romantic idea about Bale returning to the club where he first became a star. However, further thought made it clear to me that he doesn’t want to come back to Spurs because of Mauricio Pochettino.

While it’s still overwhelmingly likely that Bale will stay at Real Madrid, English sources still report he’s open to a summer return to England. The Welsh star has struggled to stay healthy this year which has put his future with Los Blancos in question.

Even if he doesn’t leave, he won’t be returning to Tottenham. That reality may sting Spurs fans at first, but the reasoning is pretty clear. Bale doesn’t want to make a pressure filled return to the lily-whites because of the club’s Argentine gaffer.

Let’s be very clear, Pochettino isn’t the perfect manager for everyone. He demands maximum effort from his players at all times. Plenty of established stars have chafed under the pressures of his intense training sessions. Bale isn’t oblivious to that reality.

He moved to Real Madrid, in part, to become one of the biggest stars in the world. He ascends to that rarefied space by scoring goals for one of the world’s richest clubs. He wouldn’t see the beauty of tracking back to help Danny Rose out on the wing. Nor would he see the need to run tirelessly to press the opposition in their own half.

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His lack of willingness to commit fully to the team ethic would immediately put him at odds with Pochettino. Spurs have risen to such great heights because of the amazing collective the manager has assembled in North London. It’s a delicate balance. Pochettino wouldn’t be able to afford to let Bale waltz into the squad and receive special treatment. Such a thing could shatter the project he’s worked so hard to build.

For the record, I’m not blaming either Bale or Pochettino. Nor am I trying to make some sort of grandiose value judgment that would put one above the other. My personal preference is for Pochettino’s more socialist philosophy. That doesn’t mean that Bale’s ultra-capitalist view of football is wrong.

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The honest truth is that Tottenham are no longer the right club for Gareth Bale. He’s a world-class player and Spurs could definitely use his talent. That doesn’t make him the right fit though. Mauricio Pochettino has made his return to North London impossible and that’s quite alright for Tottenham.

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