Sevilla have been run like that for a decade, and they have a few trophies to show for it. It can be done, but it requires to reinvest the profits of sales decisively, and to reinvest them well.
Same with Southampton really.
Not worse than that guy (think he's from Argentina?) who's got a shaved head, but for a thin braid that's not centered at the back of his head, but attatched on the right side. Just: wtf?
Want to rip it off every time I see it
http://cdn.forzaitalianfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Rodrigo-Palacio-Inter.jpg