What's in a club DNA? Alonso exit shows the only reliable predictors of success are wealth and good decisions | Jonathan Liew

The notion of "club DNA" is nothing more than a convenient narrative device used by clubs and fans alike to justify their successes and provide a sense of continuity amidst constant change. The idea that a particular brand of football, or certain values and history, defines the essence of a club has become a tired cliché.

Real Madrid's recent coaching appointments have highlighted this phenomenon. For eight months, Xabi Alonso was at the helm before being dismissed in a blaze of controversy. His replacement, Álvaro Arbeloa, is a former player who now finds himself tasked with reviving the club's fortunes after a tumultuous tenure under his predecessor.

The emphasis on "Madrid DNA" – a phrase coined by Arbeloa himself – suggests that there's some sort of magical formula at play. It's an easy way to explain successes and failures alike, implying that the club is somehow cursed or blessed with a particular brand of footballing excellence.

But what exactly does this "DNA" entail? Is it the style of play employed under Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, who revolutionized the sport in their respective eras? Or is it something more intangible – a sense of swagger, a commitment to winning at all costs?

One thing's certain: there are no clear-cut answers. Clubs like Manchester United have struggled to define their own "DNA," relying on vague notions of tradition and excellence that can apply to any number of teams.

Take the example of Ruben Amorim's departure from Old Trafford. His dismissal has been spun as a liberation, freeing the club from its supposed "Portuguese yoke." But what does this really mean? Is it the style of play employed by Amorim, or is it something more superficial – a perceived cultural affinity with a particular group of players?

The truth lies elsewhere. The only reliable predictors of footballing success are abundant wealth and good decisions. It's not about "club DNA" or some mystical formula; it's about throwing money at the problem, hiring top-class coaches and players, and making smart decisions off the pitch.

And yet, this narrative remains stuck in the mud. We continue to wax poetic about club "DNA," while ignoring the uncomfortable reality that football is a product of human ingenuity and circumstance – not some sort of alchemical potion brewed up by the club's marketing team.

The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and their ilk will continue to peddle this myth, using it to justify their successes and paper over their failures. But for those willing to look beyond the rhetoric, the truth is far more prosaic – a tale of human error, flawed decision-making, and an endless pursuit of greatness in the face of uncertainty.

I mean, come on... "club DNA"? It's just a lazy way to explain what makes a team successful. I'm not saying that history and tradition don't matter, but let's not pretend like some mystical force is at play here .

Real Madrid's whole thing with Xabi Alonso being fired and then Álvaro Arbeloa coming in with the "Madrid DNA" nonsense? Give me a break. It's just an excuse to explain why they won or lost. And don't even get me started on how arbitrary it all is .

And what's with the emphasis on "swagger" and "commitment to winning at all costs"? That's just code for "we're rich and we can afford to throw money at our problems, so let's just win already ".

I mean, Ruben Amorim leaving Old Trafford? His departure was probably more about his managerial style not working out than some sort of deep-seated cultural issue . And yeah, maybe the club did get a bit too comfortable with its "Portuguese yoke" narrative.

At the end of the day, it's all just a bunch of marketing fluff. Football is won and lost by people making smart decisions on the pitch, not some sort of alchemy involving club "DNA". Let's stop pretending otherwise

I think its kinda cool that we can just keep talking about this "club DNA" thing without actually knowing what it means . Its like a fun narrative to spin around football teams and their successes. And yeah, its easy to explain failures and stuff too . But for real tho, have you seen the prices these top coaches and players are getting paid? Like, thats what's really driving the success of clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United . Not some mystical formula or "DNA" thingy . Its just good old fashioned business and smart decision making . And I love how fans can get all worked up about it too . Like, its not that complicated .

I'm like 90% sure that "club DNA" is just a made-up thing, but at the same time, I think it's kinda true lol - I mean, what exactly is this mystical formula that sets teams apart? Is it something tangible or intangible? The more I think about it, the more confused I get

I'm totally down with throwing money at problems and hiring top coaches though - but can we please just admit that football is a crapshoot and no amount of "club DNA" can guarantee success? I mean, look at Real Madrid's recent coaching changes - it's like they're trying to outdo each other in a game of musical chairs

But seriously though, I think there's some truth to the idea that clubs have an intangible "vibe" or sense of swagger that sets them apart. Like, Manchester United has this whole "classy" thing going on that they're trying to recapture under Ruben Amorim

But still, let's be real - the only reason some teams succeed is because they have more resources than others . It's not about some magical "club DNA"; it's about who can make the smartest decisions and adapt to changing circumstances

lol what's up with all this club DNA stuff they just wanna keep it real and say its about winning & being rich like come on guys, that's not rocket science

omg u think its just clubs trying 2 convince us they dont change much real talk tho... its all about $$$ & smart moves like wot does 'madrid dna' even mean? is it like, the way they play? the history? idk but i do know its easy 2 blame the coaches & players when u got a gazillion bucks 2 throw at problems

I'm so over this "club DNA" thing... it's just a fancy way to say "we're lucky" or "we have deep pockets". Like, what even is this DNA we're talking about? Is it the style of play from 50 years ago? That's not exactly unique to Real Madrid. And don't even get me started on how convenient it is for clubs to blame their failures on some sort of mystical formula instead of actually analyzing their own performance and making changes.

I mean, Ruben Amorim getting fired just because he's Portuguese? Come on. That's not a club's DNA that's at play there, that's just lazy recruitment. And don't even get me started on the so-called "Madrid DNA" - has anyone actually defined what that is? It's just a bunch of nonsense.

You're right, though - it all comes down to money and good decision-making. If you've got the resources and the smarts, you can build a team that wins championships. But if not... well, there's always the "club DNA" narrative to fall back on .

I'm so done with this "club DNA" nonsense . It's just a fancy way for clubs to spin their successes and failures into something meaningful. I mean, come on, is it really that hard to admit that a team's success is based on who they've got in the squad and what kind of strategy they're using?

I think Real Madrid's latest coaching changes are a perfect example of this. They're trying to convince us that Xabi Alonso's departure was due to some sort of "magical formula" being lost, but let's be real, it's just because he got sacked .

And don't even get me started on the idea that there's some kind of intangible "DNA" that makes a club successful. Is it really that deep? I think clubs like Manchester United are just as guilty of this, relying on vague notions of tradition and excellence to explain their successes.

The truth is much more mundane – it's all about the money , who you've got in the squad, and making smart decisions off the pitch. It's not some mystical formula that can be bottled up and sold to fans.

lolol what's up with this "club DNA" nonsense i mean come on, it's just clubs trying to sound cool and justify their overpriced jerseys real madrid thinks its got some kinda special sauce that makes them better than everyone else? please it's all about the money, folks they pay whoever gets the job done, not because of some mystical connection to a specific style of play or whatever and don't even get me started on mufc trying to distance themselves from ruben amorim just because he was portuguese it's like they're trying to spin this into something more than it is at the end of the day, football is just a game, folks, and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the truth is always in the numbers

I gotta say, the whole "club DNA" thing is just a load of nonsense . It's like they're trying to create this myth around these clubs that makes them sound all mystical and special. Newsflash: football is just a game played by humans with 11 balls and some rules . The fact that some teams have more success than others can be explained in so many ways, but "DNA" is just a lazy cop-out.

Take Real Madrid's recent coaches, for example. Alonso gets fired after only 8 months? That's not the fault of the club's DNA, it's because they couldn't figure out how to make his system work . And now Arbeloa is trying to revive them with some vague talk about "Madrid DNA"? Please, dude, get a grip .

The only reason clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United are so successful is because they're willing to throw money at the problem . That's it. They can't replicate success on their own, so they have to buy their way into it . And as for this "Portuguese yoke" nonsense? Ruben Amorim gets fired and suddenly he's a burden to the club? Give me a break .

At the end of the day, football is about people making mistakes and trying new things . There's no magic formula or alchemy involved. It's just plain old human error and bad decision-making . So let's stop spinning this "club DNA" yarn and get back to reality .

I think its kinda cool that clubs are experimenting with different styles and managers, but the idea of "club DNA" can be pretty limiting . Its like trying to pin down a slippery fish - you might get some glimpses of what makes it tick, but ultimately, its just a bunch of humans making decisions on the fly . And yeah, having lots of money and good coaching is def a big part of success, but there's gotta be more to it than that . Maybe its time for us to stop looking for some mystical formula and start focusing on the people behind the club .

Ugh dont get me wrong im all for madrids style of play but come on "DNA" its just a bunch of hype lol theyre not gonna change just cuz they got some new coach I mean what even is that? Is it the busby way or the ferguson method lol who knows?? its all just excuses to explain their successes and failures and trust me its getting old

clubs like real madrid are trying too hard to define themselves with this "dna" thingy... it's just a crutch for their fans and management to explain why they're winning or losing instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. i mean, have you seen the lineups and squad selections lately? it's like they're throwing darts at a board

and what's with all this nostalgia for the past coaches and managers? matt busby and alex ferguson were geniuses in their time, but that doesn't mean their methods are still effective today . plus, it's just a cop-out – can't they come up with some new ideas or strategies instead of relying on outdated clichés?

and don't even get me started on the "cultural affinity" stuff... that's just a fancy way of saying "we're rich and we like to spend money on whatever makes us feel good ". if only it were that simple .

I'm so over this "club DNA" thing . It's just a bunch of nonsense used to make clubs sound cool and legit . Like Real Madrid or Man United are somehow special because of some mystical formula that only they possess... please . The truth is, it's all about the cash and good decision-making . Rich teams can hire top coaches and players and still tank if their board isn't on point . And don't even get me started on how this narrative ignores the role of human error and bad decisions . It's time to stop buying into the hype and start looking at football for what it really is: a messy, unpredictable sport that's only won by those who put in the graft .

I mean, come on ... "Club DNA" sounds like some kinda science fiction nonsense. Can't we just admit that every club has its own unique history and style? Like, Real Madrid's all about that flashy, showy football, while Manchester United's more about the hard graft and dedication. There's no one-size-fits-all formula for success. It's like saying a recipe will guarantee a perfect meal... no way!

And let's be real, most clubs are just winging it as they go along. They've got loads of money to throw at players and coaches, but that doesn't mean they're gonna magically conjure up some special "DNA" . It's all about making smart decisions and being adaptable – not stuck in some outdated notion of what makes a club successful.

And what's with the obsession over "tradition" anyway? Is it just code for "we've done it this way forever, so it must be right"? Newsflash: football's an ever-changing game. The only constant is that things are always gonna change... and if you can't adapt, you're toast! ️

I mean have you seen all these articles about "club DNA" lately? It's just so cliché. I was at this game last weekend where they were talking about how Real Madrid has that special "DNA" that makes them always successful... and it just felt like a bunch of old men trying to cling to something that's never actually been there.

I think it's just an excuse for people who don't want to talk about the real reasons why teams succeed or fail. Like, let's be real, it's all about money and how much you're willing to spend on your team. The coaches and players might have some skill, but if they're not getting the best resources, they're gonna struggle.

And what even is this "DNA" thing? Is it just the history of the club or something more tangible like a specific playing style? I don't know, maybe I'm just being too cynical. But to me, it's all just a bunch of hooey. The only real DNA of any team I've seen is the DNA of how much cash they're willing to throw around!

I mean think about it - we're still stuck on this "club DNA" thing like it's some magic trick . Newsflash: it's just a bunch of rich folks with deep pockets trying to justify their spending habits . And let's be real, most coaches are just winging it - Alonso gets the boot, Arbeloa comes in and suddenly he's all about that "DNA" life . It's like they're trying to create some sort of footballing mythology . Meanwhile, the ones with actual success stories aren't even getting any credit . Take a step back and look at the bigger picture - it's not the club DNA that makes them successful, it's just pure luck and good hiring decisions .

I mean think about it... all these clubs throwing around this "DNA" thing like it's some kinda magic formula for success . It's just a convenient excuse to explain why they win or lose, ain't it? Like there's no other factor at play, just some sorta mystical essence that defines them as a team . Newsflash: it's not that deep . The real secret to their success is just plain old cash and good decision-making . And let's be real, sometimes even that ain't enough . But the clubs keep on spinning this narrative 'cause it's easier than owning up to their own weaknesses .

I mean, come on ... "club DNA" sounds like some old-school marketing guff . Can't we just talk about how these teams are actually run? Like, what's going on behind the scenes that's making them tick or tank? And don't even get me started on this "Madrid DNA" stuff - it's just a lazy way to describe years of spending gazillions on players and coaches . Meanwhile, the real magic happens when you start throwing money at problems like crazy ...

I mean think about it, "club DNA" sounds so cool but its basically just a fancy way to say we're good at football because we're wealthy and have smart people making decisions for us . Its not like there's some special sauce that only works for Real Madrid or Man United. Thats just it, theres no magic formula just hard work and sometimes dumb luck . And yeah I get it clubs want to keep their past glory days alive but at the end of the day its all about making smart moves off the pitch not relying on some mythical "DNA"