Real Madrid coach has a huge rebuilding job at Valdedebas next season
Gareth Bale has said former teammate Xabi Alonso will not hesitate to make bold decisions as Real Madrid manager, predicting the Spaniard will demand high standards and not shy away from dropping big names if needed.
Alonso arrived from Bayer Leverkusen this summer and took over Los Blancos following a season in which they failed to win a trophy under Carlo Ancelotti. The Club World Cup semi-final humiliation against Paris Saint-Germain capped off a disappointing campaign that has already triggered a sense of urgency at the club.
Bale told ESPN that Alonso’s approach at Leverkusen, where he led the German side to their first-ever Bundesliga title in an undefeated campaign, is a sign of how he will operate at the Bernabeu.
“I would like to think Xabi has got the respect of the players and the players will play for him,” Bale said. “So I expect big changes and I expect them to play the way he wants them and if they don’t, I don’t think Xabi’s scared to drop anyone.”
This summer, Madrid have already signed Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. Further reinforcements are expected, especially after the departure of midfield Maestro Luka Modric. But Alonso’s biggest challenge may be tactical, not just recruitment-based. Specifically, how to include Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the squad without jeopardising their ability to press and play as a team.
Mbappe finished as La Liga’s top scorer in his first season in Spain but scrutiny has intensified following PSG’s back-to-back triumphs in Europe and at the Club World Cup, both achieved after his departure. Madrid, by contrast, ended the campaign without silverware and have looked disjointed with forwards who do not seem to cohere.
“He’s still scoring goals,” Bale said of Mbappe. “He’s still doing good things, it’s just they haven’t won anything this season. I think at Real Madrid you’re expected to win everything, so it’s a tough one because he’s still delivering on the pitch, but maybe he’s not having those moments.
“So I guess it’s now up to Xabi to find that blend of pressing and trying to get the best out of him and saving his energy for when you need him.
“So yeah, it’s going to be a tough one. I wouldn’t like to criticise him and say he’s had a bad season because of the goals and everything.”
