Ange Postecoglou empathizes with Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag, Opens up on Managerial Challenges

Ange Postecoglou empathizes with Manchester  United head coach Erik ten Hag and believes that constant criticism has made the already 'impossible job' of football management even more challenging. Postecoglou recently averted a crisis at Tottenham, with three consecutive wins easing the pressure at Spurs after a difficult start to the season.

United is currently in 11th place in the Premier League, just below Tottenham. They are preparing to face Spurs at Old Trafford following disappointing draws with Crystal Palace and FC Twente. The Spurs head coach was recently asked for his thoughts on the ongoing speculation surrounding United and Ten Hag's potential position as manager.

Postecoglou acknowledged Managerial Challenges 

Postecoglou acknowledged that club managers are subjected to difficult challenges, and fans hold high expectations, which they consider fulfilled only if the side has a trophy to their name at the end of the season. Postecoglou addressed there are several layers of 'success'.

"It’s hard for me to say, because I think everyone deals with it differently, you have to understand that it’s just part of your existence these days as a manager." - he said.

“I don’t know who coined the phrase ‘the impossible job’, but I think it’s become even more impossible now because it seems like success is not enough if it doesn’t have identity, [and] identity is not enough unless it’s followed by aesthetics. Aesthetics are not enough unless they’re followed by legacy. There’s always another layer. It seems like no one is doing a good job unless you win the competition at the end of the year.” - he added.

Experience is Wealth 

Postecoglou emphasized the importance of experience which plays a major role in how managers respond to constant criticisms. He also felt younger managers may be more naturally built to face such criticisms.

“Although maybe a young manager who is growing up in this maybe deals with it even better than somebody who is like me and come through different eras of how managers are assessed.” - Postecoglou explained.

His Empathy for Erik Ten Hag 

It's important to note that under Ten Hag's leadership, Manchester United has achieved significant success, winning both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in just over two seasons. Postecoglou believes that it's unfair for many to call for Ten Hag to be replaced as United's manager, especially considering that he has secured more silverware than most managers in the Premier League.

Postecoglou empathised with United's Gaffer Erik Ten Hag. He felt had United under Erik never won a Silverware, maybe the criticisms would have been around when he won something.

He admitted many managers fall into the trap of thinking Winning a trophy would make fans fall in love with their work when their focus should be on building a group that is capable of achieving sustainable success.

“I think if Erik hadn’t won anything last year, they would be saying he’s just got to win something and everything will be alright”, Postecoglou said.

“That’s probably why I rail against it, because it’s a trap you can fall into, thinking all I have to do [at Tottenham] is win something and everyone is going to love me and think I’m doing a great job. That doesn’t exist. That’s why I keep saying the focus is on trying to build a group that can have the opportunity to have sustainable success. I think you need to do that because success isn’t guaranteed." - he explained.