Gareth Bale has explained why he believes Xabi Alonso’s short spell at Real Madrid did not work out, even though he rates him as an “incredible coach”.
Speaking about Alonso’s time in the youth set-up at the Bernabeu, Bale said the former Spain midfielder had all the qualities to succeed on the pitch and in the dugout, but that the role at Madrid came with demands that made it difficult to build momentum.
Bale revealed that Alonso’s exit was not down to a lack of coaching ability, insisting the issue was more about the situation around him and the realities of trying to develop young players at a club where pressure to win and deliver instantly is always high.
Alonso, who played for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014, returned after retirement to begin his coaching journey, working with youngsters before moving on to roles away from the Spanish giants.
Bale, a former Madrid forward, stressed that Alonso’s talent as a coach is clear, and suggested that the environment at Real Madrid meant there was little room for the kind of long-term work that can be needed at academy level.
Alonso has since continued his rise in management and has earned widespread praise for his work, with Bale’s comments underlining the view that his earlier stint in Madrid’s system did not reflect his true quality.
