John Thorringtonco-chairman and general manager of Los Angeles F.C.assured this Sunday that the signing of Gareth Bale and his arrival at MLS they would not have been possible if the Welshman had only thought about money.
“This conversation was not about something financial for Gareth or for us. If Gareth had made his decision for financial reasons, he would not be in MLS,” he explained at a press conference after the Los Angeles team’s victory over New York Red Bulls by 2 -0.
The victory on the field of play, which consolidates Los Angeles as the best team in the American League at the moment, put the icing on the cake of a fantastic week for the Angelenos, who on Saturday announced the signing of Bale and this Sunday reported on the renewal of the contract with the Mexican Carlos Vela.
LAFC is now postulated as the great favorite in MLS since just two weeks ago it also announced the incorporation of Italian Giorgio Chiellini.
Thorrington admitted they have had “a lot of incredibly exciting news” and said Bale and Chiellini still have “a lot to give” on the pitch. “We want winners,” she assured. “You don’t win five Champions Leagues (…) if you don’t have that hunger,” he said, referring to Bale and his European crown re-poker with Real Madrid.
The LAFC executive was also “excited” to see Bale in a different setting in MLS and said that they still do not have a specific date for his possible debut, but said that they hope to resolve the paperwork “in the next week or the next ten.” days”.
Thorrington did say that, potentially, the first game in which Bale could be available if the deadlines are met would be on July 8, none other than the Los Angeles derby, known as “The traffic”, between LAFC and the LA Galaxy of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
A long relationship not only limited to the World Cup
In another sense, Thorrington said he was aware that Bale wants to refine his set-up to represent Wales in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but assured that his team and the player aspire to have “a long-term relationship.” “We never talk about just six months or just for the World Cup (…). Our definition of ‘success’ and Gareth’s is the same,” he assured.
As for Vela’s renewal, which in recent months had been mired in rumors and unconfirmed news, Thorrington assured that “Carlos and LAFC have a phenomenal relationship.” “Since day one (he came to MLS), I think he’s been the best player in the league when he’s been healthy,” he said.
The executive also maintained that the negotiations were never “a belligerent conversation” and indicated that everything always pointed to a renewal.
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