02 June,2021 06:57 AM IST | London | AFP
Gareth Bale. Pic/Getty Images
Wales will go into Euro without their beleaguered boss Ryan Giggs, putting the spotlight on Gareth Bale's bid to silence critics who say he has lost his appetite for success.
Giggs' absence following his arrest on charges of assaulting two women last year will cast a shadow over Wales during the Euro.
The former Manchester United star faces a trial in 2022 after being accused of butting his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and controlling her throughout their relationship.
Giggs is also charged with the common assault of Greville's sister Emma in the same incident. Giggs, 47, had taken charge of Wales in 2018 and made a positive impression as he led them to the European Championship. But Giggs has been on leave since November last year, with caretaker boss Robert Page stepping into the breach. Page has won four of his six games since replacing Giggs.
If Wales are to thrive in Giggs's absence, the onus is on Bale to prove his erratic loan spell with Tottenham Hotspur this season was not further evidence that his love for the game is dwindling. Although he scored 16 goals, Bale was unable to make a consistent impact on his return to Tottenham despite the hope that escaping his miserable time at Real Madrid would reinvigorate the Wales captain.
Hampered by fitness issues and a frosty relationship with Jose Mourinho before his sacking, Bale hardly disproved the theory he no longer has the drive required to dominate at the highest level.
It was also suggested that Bale could quit football altogether and try his hand at professional golf, a claim rejected by his agent, Jonathan Barnett. After their fairytale run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales will need Bale at his best to get anywhere near repeating that success. "We'd love to replicate what we did at Euro 2016 but we are realistic. It's a different team, a different tournament," Bale said. Wales kick off against Switzerland on June 12, with games against Turkey and Italy rounding off their group ties.
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