Tributes paid to coach who aided Bale potential

TRIBUTES have been paid to Malcolm Elias, the Welsh coach who helped to nurture young talent, including Gareth Bale and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

- By BEN JAMES

Fulham announced that Elias, their head of academy recruitment, had passed away after a short illness.

The Welshman, had a 16-year tenure at Craven Cottage after joining from Liverpool, having previously worked at Southampton.

Elias was born in 1953 and was crucial in the development of Bale at the Saints academy.

During his illustrious career, Bale would go on to win 111 Wales caps and lift five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold, who Elias helped develop during his time at Anfield, won eight major trophies with Liverpool before joining Real Madrid earlier this month.

Having started his career with nine years at Oxford United, Elias then worked as Swansea City's academy manager between 1995 and 1999 before his spells with Southampton, Liverpool and Fulham.