Gareth Bale Anticipates Major Changes Under Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

In a recent interview, Gareth Bale expressed his thoughts on the anticipated changes at Real Madrid under new head coach Xabi Alonso. Bale believes Alonso's successful track record at Bayer Leverkusen will translate into significant improvements for the team, especially in maximizing the talents of star players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. As Real Madrid prepares for the new season, Bale reflects on the challenges faced during a trophyless campaign and the high expectations surrounding the club. Discover more about Bale's insights and Alonso's potential impact on the team's future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 12, 2025, 02:03 IST

Bale's Insights on Alonso's Coaching Approach

New Delhi [India] - Former Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale believes that new head coach Xabi Alonso is poised to implement significant changes at the club, emphasizing that Alonso is unafraid to make tough decisions regarding player selections.

After achieving success with Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has returned to Madrid with the aim of bringing home trophies, especially after a disappointing season without silverware under Carlos Ancelotti.

Bale, who has celebrated five Champions League victories and three La Liga titles with Real Madrid, expressed curiosity about Alonso's ability to develop a cohesive playing style that effectively utilizes star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

"Based on his performance at Leverkusen, I believe he has the potential to do well here, especially with arguably better players and a larger budget at his disposal. I expect Xabi to command respect from the squad, and for the players to respond positively to his leadership. I foresee substantial changes in their playing style, and if players do not adapt, I doubt Xabi will hesitate to make adjustments," Bale stated during an interview with ESPN FC TV.

As the new season approaches, Real Madrid has made notable signings, including defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. However, both players were absent during the 2024/25 campaign, which ended in disappointment after a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

This loss drew criticism towards Mbappe, despite his impressive goal-scoring record. Following his transfer from PSG to Madrid, the latter secured its first UEFA Champions League title and reached the Club World Cup final, albeit without Mbappe. Meanwhile, he scored 31 goals, earning the title of La Liga's top scorer, but could not prevent Madrid from finishing the season without any trophies.

"It's a challenging situation because he continues to score and contribute positively, yet the team hasn't secured any titles this season. At Real Madrid, the expectation is to win everything, which adds pressure. While he is performing well, perhaps he hasn't had those standout moments that define a season," Bale commented on Mbappe's performance.

"Now, it’s up to Xabi to find the right balance between pressing and maximizing Mbappe's contributions while managing his energy effectively. It’s a tough task, and I wouldn’t label Mbappe's season as poor given his goal tally. However, with his stature, expectations are always high," he concluded.