Real Madrid announced on Monday that coach Xavi Alonso has left the club. The club said the decision was made by mutual agreement between the club and the coach.

Now Alvaro Arbeloa will take over at Real in his place.

Real had lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final just a day earlier. Alonso had taken charge of the club for just eight months, but he could not last long. The new coach, Arbeloa, had previously been looking after Real's reserve team.

Real is also in second place in the Spanish La Liga with 45 points and is not able to create enough pressure on Barcelona at the top. Barcelona is in the top position with 49 points.