DNA delusion

Alonso exit shows dynastic greatness rests not in tradition but ditching beliefs

- Jonathan Liew

"It is all too easy to make mistaken inferences unless the process involved is already very well understood." Francis Crick, molecular biologist "This club is about winning, winning and winning again. It's in our DNA." Alvaro Arbeloa

You return in a blaze of glory, feted in an official statement as one of the club's "greatest legends", entrusted with reinventing the riches of the past for a new footballing age. You leave in a maelstrom of snide briefings and chaotic performances, after losing a power struggle with star players and falling out of favour with the club's godlike president. Let's just say that Xabi Alonso got the full Real Madrid experience in his eight months as coach.

Obviously Alonso was reverent in his exit statement, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as "an honour". No point burning your bridges when you might get invited back: one of the more underrated ways of getting yourself hired as Real Madrid coach in the future is having done the job in the past.