Ange Postecoglou gives verdict on Erik ten Hag theory ahead of Man Utd showdown
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has insisted that trophies alone do not prove a manager is doing a good job - despite the fact that Erik ten Hag has suggested different
by Jon West · The MirrorAnge Postecoglou insists trophies are NOT the way to judge managers - despite what Erik ten Hag says.
Postecoglou takes his Tottenham side to Manchester United tomorrow that will see the loser in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Ten Hag is fighting to carry on as United boss while Postecoglou's honeymoon period is over as Tottenham manager.
Dutchman Ten Hag famously declared after last season's FA Cup final that he was a winner who would go elsewhere to lift trophies if he wasn't wanted at Old Trafford. But Postecogou, the latest boss to try to end a Spurs silverware drought dating back to 2008, sees things differently.
He said: "He keeps mentioning he's won two trophies and everyone keeps telling me that's all I have to do, but it's not because when you do that there's always more.
"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 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. You need to do that because success isn’t guaranteed.
"If you can create something that gives you the opportunity for it on a year-on-year basis, then you’ve got more chance of creating a period where the club can undeniably see itself as a contender."
Heung-min Son is a doubt after picking up a hamstring problem in Thursday's 3-0 Europa League victory over Qarabag.
The South Korea striker's future at the club is also uncertain as his current contract expires at the end of the season. Postecoglou made it clear he wanted his captain to sign on for at least another campaign.
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He said: "I don't always have the final say, but like to think my input is significant on it. The way he's performing and leading the club we certainly want him to stick around for a while."
At 32, Son is in the autumn of a goal-filled career but Postecoglou will not ask him to put club before country to extend his shelf-life.
He said: "No chance because I understand how important it is for him.
"We can look in cold harsh light that his club football will benefit if he doesn’t play for his country but the one thing I wouldn’t want is for him to have regrets that he missed the opportunity to play as much as he could."
Tottenham predicted XI v Man Utd: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
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