Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Gareth Bale's agent hits back at Roy Keane over criticism after Madrid loss

Gareth Bale's agent has hit back at Roy Keane by branding him a managerial failure after the former Manchester United captain criticised the winger's performance in the Champions League semifinals.

The agent, Jonathan Barnett, also suggested Bale wants to stay at Real Madrid after ITV pundit Keane suggested he was so ineffective that Carlo Ancelotti's team were "playing with 10 men" in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Juventus.

Keane, who is currently the Republic of Ireland's assistant manager, had spells in charge of Sunderland, where he won promotion to the Premier League, and Ipswich.

Barnett told the BBC: "Why should we take any notice of comments from people who don't know what they are talking about -- and from people who have failed in management?

"This is only an issue in England. Gareth is at the biggest club in the world. He is one of the best players in the world. He is fine. He only listens to relevant comments."

Barnett also played down talk that Manchester United, who have tried to sign Bale in the past, or Chelsea will try to take him back to the Premier League, saying: "He is 100 percent focused on Real Madrid."

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had substituted Bale in the 86th minute at Juve but said that simply down to the player's recent fitness troubles.

"I subbed him because he was tired and is still coming back from an injury," Ancelotti said. "He is too important a player for us and when a player is tired there is more risk of him getting injured so I prefer to avoid any such problems."

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