Spain are following a dangerous precedent with the madness that has engulfed their camp leading into the World Cup.

Julen Lopetegui’s sacking on the eve of the showpiece, a day after Real Madrid announced he would become their manager after Spain’s campaign ended, has blown up the squad’s preparations at a tournament where they were one of the favourites.

Here’s a look at the biggest off-pitch implosions in the famous tournament’s history.

KEANE: CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEAVER

Nothing tops this. Captain Roy Keane, who had almost singlehandedly led Ireland to the World Cup through a qualifying group that included the Netherlands and Portugal, either walked out on his team or was sent home, depending on whose version you believe.

In the former Manchester United player’s telling of the story, manager Mick McCarthy ambushed Keane at a team meeting, claiming the skipper had faked an injury to avoid playing the second leg of Ireland’s qualifying playoff against Iran. That set Keane, already upset by what he viewed as the Irish federation’s poor preparations on behalf of the team, off.

Let’s just say “I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager and I don’t rate you as a person” was about the nicest thing Keane said to McCarthy in an astonishing tirade. He was on his way back home the next day.

FEUDING FRENCH, 2010

Keane was a one-man insurrection against his manager. Leave it to the French to conduct a proper revolution – or mutiny, depending on perspective.

Manager Raymond Domenech’s tactics and selection all came under question, especially as Thierry Henry was reduced to a squad role. At halftime of their disastrous 2-0 loss to Mexico, Nicolas Anelka went one further and openly insulted the manager. The striker was sent home – leading to open rebellion.

France’s players refused to train the day after the game, and to add insult to injury for Domenech, he was forced to read a statement from the players explaining their actions. In it, they accused the French federation of failing to protect the players and bowing to media pressure. They would soon bow out of the World Cup, ignominiously.

MAD MARADONA, 1994

Argentina’s talisman was near the end of his career as it was, but the 1994 World Cup was in theory a chance for him to have one last hurrah. Diego Maradona had received a 15-month drugs ban in 1991, come back, and won back his place in La Albiceleste’s squad – as captain, no less

The script was written. Then Maradona tore it up.

He scored in Argentina’s opening 4-0 win over Greece, but drew more attention for the crazed look in his eyes as he celebrated. Sure enough, following a 2-1 win over Nigeria, Maradona tested positive for ephedrine, and was sent home. A shellshocked squad followed him after two losses.