Gareth Bale has given major credit to former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas for his rise to brilliance.
The Real Madrid star, sold by Spurs for a world-record £86million in the summer of 2013, says Villas-Boas moved him tactically to a centre-forward role that freed him to influence games and sent his self-confidence sky-rocketing.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Bale said: “At the beginning of that 2012-13 season, AVB had just joined and we had this big chat.
“I said that I felt I could go up a level and was frustrated by being double-marked every game on the left-wing.
“We decided to give me that free role where I was able to wander and find space and that was it.
“As soon as we did it, I started playing better and scoring more goals, the team began winning more games and it had a snowball effect. My confidence was sky-high.
“The confidence he showed in me was unbelievable. He instilled me with a belief that I can go on to the pitch and control a game. If we were struggling, I suddenly believed that I could go and take over.
“I’ll always be very grateful to him.”
Villas-Boas, now boss at Zenit St Petersburg, was ultimately sacked by Spurs just months after Bale was sold to the now European Champions, following an indifferent start to the 2013-14 season.
And Bale has also thanked Villas-Boas' predecessor, Harry Redknapp, for giving him “ a kick up the arse”.
“He was the one who started the ball rolling. If I didn’t get that kick I wouldn’t be where I am now – I needed it,” he said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article