McManaman: “Nobody from Madrid told me they were going to sell me”

Steve Mcmanaman is an ambassador for LaLiga and has given an interview with LiveScore in which he has reviewed the current situation of the Spanish competition, paying special attention to the news of Real Madrid. The English player had no qualms about talking about his times as a player in the white team.

The first thing he did was explain the reasons that led him from the Premier to the Spanish League. “It was several things, not just one. It was the fact that we were not good enough as a (Liverpool) team to win the league. Liverpool were going through a transitional phase themselves when Roy Evans left the club and when Gérard Houiller came as manager. I think he wanted to take the club in another sense, a little different and introduce his own players. I was reaching the end of my contract, my mother was very ill at that time and then she died, just after the last game of the season. A lot of that worried me and I think I just needed to change. And change meant, change country and not go to another rival Liverpool club. I wanted to leave and I wanted to play abroad. In the end I chose Real Madrid, which at that time had just won the Champions League and the following year, they won the Club World Cup. It was officially the best team in the world, so it wasn't a difficult decision, choose Real Madrid “.

He also spoke of the keys why he believes he was so loved by the Madrid fans in his time as a player. “I jumped right in. I was always smiling, help or not. I didn't learn the language out of necessity. I was learning the language of course, and did the best I could to learn the language. He always tried to be with the other players. If they went somewhere, he would go with them, even if he couldn't understand everything they were talking about. Sometimes I felt lonely, but I already knew it would be like this. He tried to talk to the press whenever he could. Even I was trying to get involved in the culture and adapt as best as possible to that lifestyle, “he said.

The ex-Madridista had no qualms about telling his feelings about the season in which the rumors spoke that Real Madrid wanted to transfer him: “Nobody from the club told me anything, to be very honest. Other people told me, the agents, the people who called me. When I spoke with Florentino Pérez, he never left the impression that he wanted to sell meSo it was very easy for me to carry on from day to day. Some told me, “don't worry, nothing is going to happen, it's just Real Madrid with a new president, trying to balance the accounts,” and things like that. That is the story that ran, but when I spoke with the management of the club, Vicente del Bosque, the manager, for example, he told me that I was not going anywhere. “

The English player also spoke about the white news and what he expects this season. The first thing made clear by the player who wants to see play at full capacity of the white squad: Eden Hazard. “I'm really excited to see him because he gave a lot at Chelsea, he was an exceptional player there. He was a really good signing for Real Madrid and he just hasn't been at his best so far. He started out without being in his best shape and has had numerous injuries, although the preseason has not been able to give it everything, I am looking forward to seeing him in his best version. I hope Eden Hazard has a fabulous year. ” He also praised other members of the team: “Karim Benzema has been excellent, Marco Asensio has also been seriously injured so I am waiting to see him to see how he has recovered“

He also had words for his former teammate and current white coach, Zinedine Zidane. The French manager believes he will be remembered as a coach, despite having been everything as a player. “People who are growing up now only know one thing, that he is an exceptional coach so in 50-60 years they will talk about him as such. It will be interesting to see how he manages in teams other than Real Madrid since here he has lived for a long period of time. I'd like to know if he's interested in training in Paris or the French national team or something like that. “

Lastly, he spoke of Gareth Bale. He valued his time at Real Madrid very positively: “His contribution was exceptional. Actually, in his early days, he scored goals in important finals. He scored in each of the finals and won all those Champions League. He was in the stadium when he scored that one. goal against Sevilla in the Cup final. He has been an impressive figure for Real Madrid“.

He showed his confidence that he will also be important at Tottenham. “I think he will contribute a lot because he has not lost any of his qualities. I know he has had some injuries at Real Madrid, but they have not been of long duration. I think he will be prepared, he has a lot of room to show. I think he is a great signing. for Tottenham. When you think of Harry Kane, it's Heung-min, and then you add Gareth Bale to the mix, it automatically raises the XI to another level. If he stays fit and plays 40 or 50 games for Tottenham he will surely score. 20 goals and those are figures that cannot be bought with money. If he shows his best level, he will take Tottenham to another level in the Premier League and other competitions this season“.