Under pressure? Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou's managerial records compared

Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in the biggest Premier League fixture of the weekend. Both sides have endured near identical disappointing starts to the season with seven points from their opening five league fixtures. Tottenham are languishing in tenth place with United one place below their opponents on goal difference and they’ll need to improve quickly to preserve their top four ambitions this season. 

Neither side were able to secure Champions League qualification last season and both kickstarted their Europa League campaigns in midweek. Erik ten Hag ended the season on a high by winning the FA Cup but he oversaw United’s worst ever league finish in eighth place, while Tottenham capitulated after an excellent start under Ange Postecoglou. Although it’s only the sixth league game of the season, both managers are under different degrees of pressure and the Old Trafford outcome could tip the scales. 

Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou’s records in England compared 

Ten Hag, undisputedly, faces more pressure than his counterpart after a hugely underwhelming start to the season after surviving an internal review in the summer. It’s no secret that INEOS - who hold sporting control at United - sounded out potential replacements for the Dutchman before deciding to keep him at the helm and activating a contract extension clause in his deal. Ten Hag has displayed a bullish confidence in his abilities all summer but losing 3-0 to Liverpool at home was extremely damaging as was United’s inability to beat Twente in their Europa League opener on Wednesday.

Ten Hag had the overwhelming support of the United fanbase following the FA Cup win after he ended their six-year drought for a trophy with the League Cup in his first season in charge. But patience is running thin amongst the United faithful despite some encouraging displays with results not at the required standard. Meanwhile, Postecoglou still has the vast majority of the Tottenham support behind him but there were signs of unrest during their downturn in form last season. It’s been over 15 years since Spurs lifted silverware and that will be a key objective for Postecoglou, who has an impressive track record when it comes to lifting trophies - albeit in far less cut-throat competitions.

  As the graphic above illustrates, Ten Hag boasts a marginally superior record to Postecoglou during their spells in England. The United boss averages a slightly better points per game, goals scored and goals conceded records than his compatriot - while he’s also delivered two trophies. There’s obviously caveats to this like Ten Hag spending more money, and having more time to shape his squad while, conversely, Postecoglou didn’t have to contend with a more demanding schedule in his debut season as Tottenham weren’t in Europe. Both managers have been significantly backed in the transfer market and Postecoglou will hope to demonstrate the improvements he’s made in the second season with Ten Hag failing in this regard. 

Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou’s record at previous clubs 

There are clear parallels between both managers in how they earned their moves to the Premier League based on their previous jobs. Postecoglou is more experienced than his peer as he showcased his managerial pedigree in Australia and Japan predominantly before excelling after moving to Europe with Celtic. While Celtic have been the dominant force in Scotland for over a decade, Postecoglou inherited the job on a low ebb after Rangers won the title but he transformed their fortunes and recruited brilliantly as he lifted five out of six trophies on offer before moving to Spurs. 

 Again, Ten Hag managed longer at Ajax than Postecoglou at Celtic but their records are pretty similar once more - as the graphic above shows. The current Man United boss is slightly ahead in each category but both managers enjoyed remarkable success in Scotland and Holland, respectively. Ten Hag’s best achievement with Ajax was leading them to the Champions League semi-finals but he’s been unable to replicate his European success at Untied with just one win in nine games. There’s a clear respect between the duo, with both complementing each other in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown but they’ll both be acutely aware of the importance of three points at Old Trafford.