Gareth Bale Exposes Xabi Alonso's Costly Blunder That Rocked Real Madrid
Gareth Bale expressed that he wasn't "shocked" to witness Xabi Alonso's departure from Real Madrid shortly after his arrival at the club, acknowledging that his former teammate erred by attempting to function as a coach instead of a manager throughout his eight-month tenure at the Bernabéu.
Alonso had tremendous achievements at his previous club Bayer Leverkusen, transforming a squad facing relegation threats upon his initial appointment and guiding them to their maiden Bundesliga championship in the subsequent 2023–24 campaign. Along with DFB Pokal triumph and reaching the Europa League final, Alonso came within one match of securing an undefeated treble that season.
The Spanish tactician accomplished this through his coaching expertise and tactical mastery. However, Bale, who was Alonso's teammate during the 2013–14 season, believes this approach was misguided and that "coaching" players at Real Madrid would never succeed.
"It doesn't shock me [that he's departed]," Bale commented during his TNT Sports appearance this week.
"I completely understand Real Madrid's operations, and when results fail to materialize—and it doesn't take many failures—you're dismissed," he continued.
"Xabi is a phenomenal coach. His achievements at Bayer Leverkusen ... securing silverware, coaching the squad exceptionally well. However, upon arriving at Real Madrid, coaching isn't what's required.
"Rather than coaching, you must handle the personalities in the locker room. You need to manage egos; extensive tactical preparation isn't necessary. You have superstars in the dressing room capable of transforming matches instantly."
The three coaches who have achieved the greatest success at Real Madrid during the 21st century—Vicente del Bosque, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, collectively claiming eight Champions League trophies with Los Blancos—all share one primary characteristic.
None are regarded as tactical specialists or coaching experts in the manner of Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff or Jürgen Klopp. Instead, they possess outstanding people-management abilities, the capacity to handle egos and earn respect.
Despite his five-year playing career at the club, Alonso appears to have misunderstood the requirements. He attempted to implement too much of his personal methodology, the strategies that brought him success in Germany, and it wasn't compatible.
'Real Madrid Need a Manager Not a Coach'
'Real Madrid Need a Manager Not a Coach'
Jamie Carragher, Alonso's former Liverpool teammate, expressed his comparable viewpoint this week.
The former defender, working as a pundit and analyst for CBS Champions League coverage, indicated it is "optimal" for Alonso to have departed the Bernabéu.
"He arrived with specific concepts, and it rapidly became apparent that he wouldn't be permitted to coach according to his preferences," Carragher observed. "That he wouldn't be able to construct the team as he envisioned. There were issues with particular players who rejected his philosophy.
"It's beneficial for him. Even if he had secured a championship, he internally recognized it wasn't his methodology. That he didn't wish to manage Real Madrid in that fashion. It's likely the optimal outcome for him. They require a manager, not a coach."