Gareth Bale explains why Xabi Alonso failed at Real Madrid

January 22, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Gareth Bale explains why Xabi Alonso failed at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has delivered a brutally honest verdict on why Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid reign collapsed, insisting the Spaniard fell short in one crucial area despite his obvious tactical brilliance.

Alonso, who left the Bernabéu just over a week ago following Madrid's Supercopa de España final defeat to Barcelona, arrived with a glowing reputation after his historic spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

Early signs were encouraging too, with Los Merengues winning 13 of their first 14 matches under his leadership.

But Bale believes Alonso's downfall was inevitable - not because of tactics, but because Madrid demands a different type of leadership entirely.

Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Wales star claimed the pressure and personalities inside the Bernabéu require a manager who can handle egos, rather than a coach focused on systems and strict tactical instruction.

He is an incredible coach. He has won what he has won at Bayer Leverkusen, he has won trophies, he has coached the team incredibly well.

But when you get to Real Madrid, you don't need to be a coach, you need to be a manager.

Bale: Madrid needs an ego manager, not a tactician

Bale's assessment centres on the unique demands of Madrid's dressing room - a place shaped by the club's long-standing Galáctico culture and relentless expectation.

According to Bale, managing Madrid's collection of superstars is less about coaching every movement and more about ensuring the biggest names feel valued, protected and empowered.

You need to manage the egos in the dressing room. You have to pamper the egos.

In Bale's view, Alonso's intense focus on structure and discipline may have worked at Leverkusen, but it struggled to land at a club built around elite individuals used to freedom on the pitch.

Vinícius Júnior fallout highlights dressing room tension

One flashpoint Bale's argument aligns with is Alonso's reportedly strained relationship with Vinícius Júnior.

The coach's decision to bench Vinícius on occasion created visible friction, whilst the Brazilian was even heard suggesting he could leave the club after reacting dramatically to being substituted during the Supercopa de España defeat to Barcelona.

For Bale, situations like this are exactly why Madrid's job is different - it's as much about psychology as it is about football.

'You don't need to do so many tactical things'

Bale went further, suggesting that at a club like Madrid, tactical obsession can actually backfire, because the talent level is so high the best plan is often the simplest one.

You don't need to do so many tactical things. In the dressing room there are superstars who can change matches in the blink of an eye.

The underlying message was clear: Madrid's elite match-winners don't want to feel restricted as they want a stage, and the confidence that the boss trusts them to decide games.

Ancelotti and Zidane blueprint still the gold standard

Bale's take will sound familiar to anyone who watched Madrid thrive under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane - two bosses often described as facilitators rather than tactical radicals.

Both allowed star players to express themselves, trusting the quality in the squad to create moments of magic.

Bale suggests Alonso tried to impose more control, and it ultimately left key figures feeling stifled.

Los Blancos captain Dani Carvajal hinted at the contrast earlier this season when comparing Alonso to Ancelotti.

Each coach has his own methodology, as you say, they're different generations.

For example, with Carletto, we had much more freedom. Xabi is a little more upfront, with more discipline.

Real Madrid squad built for Bale's theory

Bale's comments come as a warning to any future Madrid coach attempting to "over-coach" a squad stacked with global stars.

With Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius leading the current generation, Bale believes the club fits the classic Madrid profile: elite attackers who can destroy opponents - provided they feel comfortable and supported.

After Alonso: Arbeloa era begins with turbulence

Since Alonso's departure, Álvaro Arbeloa has taken over, and his start has been anything but smooth.

His first match brought a shock 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat, but Madrid have since steadied with two convincing victories, beating Levante in La Liga before thrashing AS Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League.

But Bale's analysis suggests the bigger issue remains: in Madrid, success isn't only about ideas. It's about managing the Bernabéu, and everything that comes with it.

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