Former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has shared his thoughts on the recent sacking of Xabi Alonso as manager of the Spanish giants, pointing to one key issue: managing egos in the dressing room.

Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti last year, was dismissed after a short and turbulent spell at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite being widely regarded as a brilliant tactician, his time at Madrid failed to deliver the expected harmony and results.

Speaking during an interview with TNT, Bale explained that coaching at Real Madrid goes beyond tactics and formations.

“You need to manage the egos in the dressing room, you’ve to pamper the egos. You don’t need to do so many tactical things,” Bale said.

He added that the Real Madrid squad is filled with world-class players capable of deciding games in moments, making man-management a crucial skill.

“In the dressing room, there are superstars who can change matches in the blink of an eye. So, yes, you can tell he is a great coach and tactician, but at Real Madrid, obviously, it did not work.
He is going to need control over that group, and that is something you don’t get at Real Madrid.”

Opinion: At Real Madrid, Man-Management Is the Real Tactics

Bale’s comments strike at the heart of what makes Real Madrid one of the toughest clubs to manage in world football. At the Bernabéu, success isn’t just about tactical intelligence — it’s about personalities, power, and pressure.

Xabi Alonso’s football brain is unquestionable. His understanding of the game and modern tactics has earned him respect across Europe. However, Real Madrid is a different beast. Managing superstars with Ballon d’Or ambitions often requires less coaching board brilliance and more emotional intelligence.

History supports Bale’s point. Managers who thrive at Madrid are often those who balance authority with empathy — knowing when to discipline and when to protect their stars. Without that balance, even the smartest tactician can struggle.

Alonso’s sacking may feel harsh, but it serves as another reminder: at Real Madrid, the dressing room can be more decisive than the touchline. For Alonso, this experience could be a valuable lesson — one that might shape him into an even stronger manager in the future.