It has emerged, according to Softfootball, that Gareth Bale has backed new Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso to make sweeping changes at the Bernabéu, insisting the former midfielder has both the authority and courage to reshape the squad on his terms.
Alonso took charge after departing Bayer Leverkusen and faces the challenge of reviving a Madrid side that endured a rare trophyless season under Carlo Ancelotti. Alonso’s appointment marks a new chapter for Los Blancos, and Bale expects him to act decisively as he begins life in the dugout at the club he once captained.
Speaking to ESPN FC, Bale said:
“If you look at what he did at Leverkusen, the answer is yes and now he’s arguably got even better players and a bigger transfer budget to work with.
I’d expect big changes. He has the respect of the players, and they’ll play for him. And if they don’t, I don’t think Xabi will be scared to drop anyone.”
Alonso will be tasked with managing a star-studded attack featuring Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, and Bale believes the Spaniard’s man-management and tactical clarity will be key to getting the best out of them.
Madrid have already moved swiftly in the transfer window, bringing in Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
Both defenders, however, were absent as the team’s campaign ended in disappointment with a 4–0 defeat to PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals a result that underlined the scale of the rebuild Alonso now oversees.
As the new season is set to begin in Spain, Softfootball had reported the plea of Madrid players for an elongated time to rest ahead of the August-bid season opener. After being knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup ruthlessly by the 2025 UEFA Champions League winners, PSG, Real Madrid players are now calling for their La Liga season opener against Osasuna to be rescheduled to a more comfortable date.
Courtois criticised the decision, stressing the importance of player welfare and rest, especially after a gruelling tournament schedule that has seen teams including Real Madrid play lots of fixtures between May (actual end of a season) and July and will see players get only three weeks off.
