Former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Steve McManaman believes that Gareth Bale will be a success in Spain, despite the waves of criticism he has received throughout the season.
Bale, who in his first season helped Los Blancos win ‘La Decima’ has become a figure of blame over the past year as he and his Real teammates failed to live up to the fan’s lofty expectations.
Despite reaching the Champions League semi-final and finishing second in La Liga last season, Bale has been the subject of much criticism from the Madrid faithful, who have been disappointed with the majority of the Welshman's performances this season.
However, McManaman, who talked to Sportsvibe exclusively at BT Sport's recent unveiling of their European football coverage believes that the record-fee forward will return to the form that brought him to Spain in the first place.
Talking to Sportsvibe at BT Sport’s recent European football launch, McManaman said: "He says that he wants to stay in Madrid. I hope he stays and I hope that he is a big success. And I think he will be a success next year."
"When Madrid finish second it’s a crisis unfortunately. But that’s what happens when you play for one of the big teams."
He added: "As much as we like to dramatise things in England, he has had personal criticism off of other players."
"I know for a fact that most of the players have had personal criticism themselves. We just don’t like to make a big thing of it."
"I think the English press want him to come back home."
Steve McManaman helped Real madrid lift the 2000 and 2002 Champions League trophies, playing alongside club legends such as Iker Casillas, Zinedine Zidane and Raul.