Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said that he was unsurprised by Erik ten Hag's sacking at Manchester United given the amount of attention on both him and the club.
Postecoglou has faced criticism himself this season, with Tottenham currently eighth in the Premier League following a defeat to previously winless Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Similarly, Ten Hag oversaw a 2-1 defeat away to West Ham on Sunday that put United 14th in the table, just seven points above the relegation zone. It was to be his last in charge.
But Postecoglou was sympathetic towards the Dutchman, though, explaining that the pressure put on managers is sometimes hard to live up to.
"I'm not really shocked. Disappointing as it was, it was almost inevitable with the scrutiny he had," said Postecoglou in a press conference.
"If you look at Erik, he was there for two and a bit years. He won a trophy in each year, they finished third in his first year.
"If he was here with that record would he have lost his job? I don’t know.
"Would he be under the same scrutiny? I don’t know because everyone tells me all I have to do is win a trophy, but I have got a feeling it would be the same because, just the nature of the world today."
The Australian manager led Tottenham to a fifth-placed finish last season, two points outside the top four, having briefly flirted with the top two after a good start.
While Spurs eventually faded, it still constituted their second-highest finish in the last five seasons.
Postecoglou, meanwhile, has been frustrated at unrealistic expectations at the highest level.
"As a manager you have to hit a sweet spot where you get success, you play football everyone likes, you get every signing right," Postecoglou said.
"In that moment you seem to get some sort of validation.
"Anything other than that, it seems to be for some clubs they want trophies not football, others want football. It is a difficult task.
"But what you have seen in the past, I’m sure Erik will bounce back from that because he is a good manager.
"You have seen it with other managers. I’m sure his career will continue to go on strongly."
fidcelntz
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friend Eric tanhagen Eric I hope you are okay I miss you like a snowball now we're not saying how good you are so good to me I wiring potassus is taste I will never ever forget you my little angel I will say that if that was me I would always look up to you you look at them and you're gonna say well hangers I get I refrained you were player you have great friends so whether you get your backside back down back down Eric I hope you are okay take care my angel take care Eric till next time we see you at the man in 18 always an always fight not attacking attack attack you know how could you be
lauabdlnpz
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You're next too to be sacked Anger Postecoglu we're tired of loosing..
JohnDuggan92
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Well said...... Erik ten hag will always be a good coach, UNITED doesn't want trophies, they want to keep their name, jst be in the top four every season without a trophy then you won't be sacked. Just like Arsenal does.
I disagree with you, United want trophies but also the style of play that allows them to challenge for the league Carabao Cup and 3rd place finish was great for his first season Fa Cup and 8th place finish in his second season ? The FA cup masks the cracks of the 8th place finish. Now currently 14th and you don’t think he deserves the sack ? Unable to win a game in Europe for over a year, both Champions league and Europa also
Wasciktz
0
Well said...... Erik ten hag will always be a good coach, UNITED doesn't want trophies, they want to keep their name, jst be in the top four every season without a trophy then you won't be sacked. Just like Arsenal does.
ETH cannot win , if yes he do not have any story to say or player to blame .
kiaabckt
4
Well said...... Erik ten hag will always be a good coach, UNITED doesn't want trophies, they want to keep their name, jst be in the top four every season without a trophy then you won't be sacked. Just like Arsenal does.