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"The distance between the players and the supporters has grown because of what the two sets of people are earning," says the Wales manager as he prepares to face Ireland this week
Players like Gareth Bale will earn mega money this season
Wales boss Chris Coleman feels Gareth Bale's impending world record transfer to Real Madrid shows that football is no longer the working man's game.
Bale is poised to complete an £80m-plus move from Spurs which will eclipse the mark set by Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real from Manchester United in 2009.
And with reports claiming that Portuguese star Ronaldo is asking for £320,000 per week to stay at Real, Coleman admits he doesn't know where it's going to stop.
"It's unbelievable really," Coleman said of the spiralling figures in football as his star player prepares to come the costliest player in the history of the game.
"I remember when football used to be the working man's game and I don't think you can say that now.
"Look at the cost of going to a Premier League game for the man in the street.
"It can be an expensive business for a family of four and then you've got someone on the pitch earning 200 grand a week.
"The distance between the players and the supporters has grown because of what the two sets of people are earning.
"It's sad as it's more corporate now. Where's it going to stop? I don't know, but it does worry me."
And Coleman admits young footballers who make the grade face huge challenges in staying grounded.
"Sometimes money changes people and status changes people," he said.
"You can come from a normal hard-working background and your dad might be, say, a painter and decorator.
"But at 20 if you're a good player now in the Premier League you could be earning £20,000-£30,000 a week.
"Your dad might not be earning that in a year and that distorts things in young players' minds.
"How they cope with that is important."
Asked whether he would like to see a salary cap imposed, Coleman replied: "I wouldn't be opposed to the idea.
Chris Coleman
"But I'm obviously saying that as a manager, I wouldn't have been saying that as a player.
"Whether it would work I have no idea."
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Bale is expected to report for Wales duty ahead of next weekend's friendly despite reports of injury and huge speculation surrounding his future
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