Real Madrid have brought Xabi Alonso’s short reign as head coach to an abrupt end, dismissing the former midfield maestro just seven months into the job following defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The decision, announced as a “mutual agreement,” underlines the unforgiving standards at the Santiago Bernabéu, where silverware is expected, not negotiated. Alonso leaves Madrid with the club second in LaLiga, four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, and sitting seventh in the Champions League standings after six matches. While the results were far from disastrous, recent losses...