Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou believes management has turned into an “even more impossible” job and expressed his sympathy for Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag is back under pressure ahead of Sunday’s clash with Spurs after a slow start to the new campaign continued with a 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente.
The Dutch coach has regularly pointed out to his detractors that he has won two trophies at Old Trafford, but his future was under intense scrutiny before he masterminded an FA Cup final success over Manchester City in May.
Postecoglou has repeatedly stated since his arrival in England that silverware is not a guarantee of long-term success and echoed that sentiment again.
“I think Erik, in a real tough job, has done really well,” he said.
“He keeps mentioning he’s won two trophies and he has. I don’t think that’s insignificant. People keep telling me that’s what I have to do, but it’s obviously not all you have to do.
“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 all right’.
“That’s probably why I rail against it because it’s a trap you can fall into. Thinking all I have to do 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, but if you can create something that gives you the opportunity for it on a year-on-year basis, then I think you’ve got more chance of creating a period where the club can undeniably see itself as a contender.”
The experienced Australian pondered the shelf life of a modern-day manager having been minutes away from a potential crisis last week before Spurs avoided a shock Carabao Cup exit at Coventry.
But it is now Ten Hag back under the microscope.
Postecoglou added: “You have to understand that (pressure), it’s just part of your existence these days as a manager.
“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. 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 comp at the end of the year. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of understanding of progress or the circumstances that people have to work under at times, but it’s just the nature of the role.
“I don’t think that’s going to change, so I guess it’s about how you respond to it, how you react to it, how you let it affect you.”
