Bale's agent lifts lid on Mourinho issue and star's "dream" ahead of talks

Gareth Bale's agent has lifted the lid on the Wales star's issue with Jose Mourinho and his "dream" ahead of retirement talks.

Jonathan Barnett has spoken exclusively to Mirror Football, revealing that Bale and Mourinho "didn't see football the same way" after the 32-year-old, set to hang up his boots in the club game next year, returned to Tottenham Hotspur on loan last season.

Bale managed a very respectable tally of 11 goals in 20 Premier League appearances as he temporarily returned to north London, having left Spurs for current employers Real Madrid in 2013 for £85.3million.

Mourinho was the manager to bring the winger back to Tottenham but Barnett, in a rare interview, has revealed the pair did not see eye to eye in footballing terms.

"At Spurs, there wasn't a fall out," the 71-year-old agent explained in reference to the Portuguese boss, who was sacked in April and is now in charge of Serie A giants Roma.

Mourinho and Bale spent seven months at Tottenham together last season ( Image:

Pool via REUTERS)

"I just think they didn't see football the same way - I'm being very diplomatic here.

"Let's just say it wasn't the best return to a club in history."

Back in Madrid for 2021-22, Bale started the term as a regular in Carlo Ancelotti's side, although an injury has ruled him out potentially until the next international break in November.

Ancelotti signed Bale at the Santiago Bernabeu eight years ago and Barnett believes things were looking up for his client, following a number of injury-hit campaigns in Spain and issues with former coach Zinedine Zidane.

"He went back to Real Madrid and he was in the first team ­immediately," he explained.

"Unfortunately he tore his hamstring so it's a long way back.

"It's a shame with Carlo Ancelotti back as manager he got the injury this season."

Following Wales' round-of-16 exit to Denmark at Euro 2020, reports emerged that Bale would retire from club football next summer upon the expiration of his Real contract.

But he is set to continue representing his country in order to fulfil a "dream" with the Dragons at the 2022 Qatar World Cup during the proceeding winter.

"It's a dream for him to play in the World Cup finals with Wales," Barnett added regarding Bale, who scored all three goals for his national team in their pivotal 3-2 win away to Belarus in September.

Bale has long maintained his desire to play for Wales ( Image:

REUTERS)

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"That's the most important thing for him, I believe.

"Injuries and disagreements in the last few seasons with Zinedine Zidane have held him back."

Wales head into the October internationals with two World Cup qualifying matches remaining as they bid to secure at least second place in Group E.

Belgium sit top and are unlikely to give up the group's automatic berth, with the Czech Republic currently occupying the precarious play-off position below via goal difference.

Bale and co have one game in hand, although the fight for second is set to go down to the wire as one of their games is against Belgium, making four or six points next month a tough ask.

Boss Rob Page is hopeful that he can have his captain fit for the crucial fixtures, recently saying: "You grade hamstring injuries from one to four, and his is nearer the four so it's quite a significant hamstring tear.

"Originally, it might have even progressed into November's camp but thankfully he's recovering better than anticipated," Page stated.

"We're pretty certain he'll be okay for November."