What's in a club DNA? Alonso exit shows the only reliable predictors of success are wealth and good decisions | Jonathan Liew
- Thread starter Little Coo
- Start date
So I was reading about Xabi Alonso leaving Real Madrid and I'm like what happened there?! 
The whole thing sounds super chaotic and power struggles are no joke! 
But you know what's even crazier? How some people think that all the famous managers who've worked for Real Madrid are somehow connected to making them successful. 
Like, what does "club DNA" even mean anyway? 
Is it just a fancy way of saying they're rich and can afford any player or coach they want? 
And don't even get me started on the idea that some teams have a special identity that sets them apart. I mean, Brentford FC is like, super good at set pieces but is it really because of Lloyd Owusu's aerial prowess or what?!
And Manchester City... how do you explain their success from one era to another? Is it just Pep Guardiola's genius or was it something more? But the thing that really got me is when they say that football clubs are like, super complex and multifaceted entities. Like, yeah no kidding!
But I think we need to stop romanticizing "club DNA" and just accept that a lot of these teams' success is down to money. Let's be real, Real Madrid and Manchester United could've spent their entire history on tiny potatoes and still won some trophies... 
I'm so done with all these managers coming and going at Real Madrid 
it's like they're just throwing money at a problem instead of figuring out what really makes them tick and don't even get me started on the 'DNA' thing... like, yeah we've got loads of cash and all that but does it actually make us better players or coaches? I mean, I love watching the beautiful game just as much as anyone else, but sometimes I feel like we're missing out on something real because we're so caught up in the glamour and glitz 
And have you noticed how all these big clubs are always talking about their 'DNA' and 'club history'? it's like they think that's what makes them special or something... newsflash, guys: it's not 
it's like they're just throwing money at a problem instead of figuring out what really makes them tick and don't even get me started on the 'DNA' thing... like, yeah we've got loads of cash and all that but does it actually make us better players or coaches? I mean, I love watching the beautiful game just as much as anyone else, but sometimes I feel like we're missing out on something real because we're so caught up in the glamour and glitz And have you noticed how all these big clubs are always talking about their 'DNA' and 'club history'?
it's like they think that's what makes them special or something... newsflash, guys: it's not lol wut r ppl thinkin bout this "DNA" thing?? its just rly rich clubs like madrid & man utd who can afford 2 attract top talent n generate loads of cash . u cant put a price on that kinda power n influence 
. its not about loyalty or ethos or any of that malarkey, its just how much dosh u hv . we need 2 stop thinkin bout this vague "DNA" stuff & just focus on the fact dat these clubs r ridiculously wealthy . and yeah, those who live by it will prob die by it 
. u cant put a price on that kinda power n influence . its not about loyalty or ethos or any of that malarkey, its just how much dosh u hv . we need 2 stop thinkin bout this vague "DNA" stuff & just focus on the fact dat these clubs r ridiculously wealthy . and yeah, those who live by it will prob die by it I'm not sure if Real Madrid's reliance on "club DNA" actually works in the long run ... I mean, don't get me wrong, their financial muscle and resources are pretty incredible ... but it feels like they're just buying success rather than building a sustainable team culture. And what about when the money runs out? Will they still be able to compete without all that cash pouring in?
It's funny how people talk about "DNA" like it's some kind of magical formula for success, but at the end of the day, it's just a bunch of humans on the pitch making decisions and taking actions. Can't we just acknowledge that money plays a huge role in football and not try to make it sound like there's something more mysterious going on?
... I mean, don't get me wrong, their financial muscle and resources are pretty incredible ... but it feels like they're just buying success rather than building a sustainable team culture. And what about when the money runs out? Will they still be able to compete without all that cash pouring in? It's funny how people talk about "DNA" like it's some kind of magical formula for success, but at the end of the day, it's just a bunch of humans on the pitch making decisions and taking actions. Can't we just acknowledge that money plays a huge role in football and not try to make it sound like there's something more mysterious going on?