Why the 'Ten Hag Trap' is Lurking for Amorim and Postecoglou

Extending the contract with Erik ten Tag is a mistake of MU.

The final whistle of last year's FA Cup final sounded, Ten Hag jubilantly lifted the prestigious trophy in front of thousands of enthusiastic Manchester United fans. It was a golden moment, but also the starting point for a series of bad decisions that ruined the "Red Devils" of Manchester's entire season.

When a title isn't enough to save a career

Despite leaving Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag's shadow still looms over English football like a haunting warning. The decision to extend the Dutchman's contract after the Wembley win quickly turned out to be a costly gamble.

Just three months later, despite spending £180 million in the summer transfer window, Ten Hag still had to leave when MU only won 11 points after 9 matches and languished in 14th place on the rankings. A wrong decision by the "Red Devils" leadership pushed the club into crisis.

Ten Hag left, Ruben Amorim arrived. On April 18, the Portuguese strategist helped MU win dramatically 5-4 against Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals - a result that created a fever among fans.

Many have compared the comeback to Liverpool's legendary 4-3 win over Dortmund in 2016 - the match that marked the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield. Now, United are in the semi-finals of the Europa League, the only competition they have a chance of winning a trophy.

However, behind the halo are worrying signs as Amorim's tactical philosophy does not seem to be completely suitable for the current MU squad. The combination of tactical ideas and personnel is starting to show tensions - something that happened with Ten Hag at Manchester United.

"There is no guarantee that a Europa League win will bring long-term stability," the British media commented. "Football is a sport of the present, not the past. People will quickly forget your victory when the results stop coming."

Ruben Amorim needs to look further with his project at MU.

In a similar development, Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham are facing a historic opportunity to advance deep into the Europa League. For a "thirsty" club like Spurs - who have not lifted a trophy for 16 years since the 2008 League Cup - this could be an important turning point.

However, the troubles in the Premier League have raised big questions about the future of the Australian strategist. Fluctuating form, along with a series of injuries to key positions, especially the defense, have made it difficult for Tottenham to maintain a competitive position in the domestic league.

Tottenham's history shows that trophies are not a ticket to immunity from dismissal. Juande Ramos helped Spurs win the League Cup in 2008 but was dismissed just a few months later. Jose Mourinho was also fired right before the 2021 Carabao Cup final, despite the "Special One's" impressive record in cup competitions.

The war between emotion and reason

Behind the decisions of the big clubs is a struggle between two opposing philosophies in modern football: the emotional explosion that a trophy brings and the financial stability that executives desire.

“Fans crave explosive moments and unbelievable victories. Club managers, on the other hand, prioritize stability, control and financial sustainability,” said a former Premier League executive.

This conflict creates a terrifying paradox: a coach can win titles but still be fired if he fails to meet expectations of consistent performance and sustainable development.

Postecoglou faces huge pressure at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ten Hag’s story at United is a clear warning to all big clubs: don’t let short-term success obscure systemic problems. The decision to extend Ten Hag’s contract after the FA Cup not only cost United financially, it also ruined the season.

For Amorim and Postecoglou, the lesson is clear: the Europa League title, however valuable, is no substitute for stability and sustainable development. They need to look beyond a single victory, to avoid falling into the “Ten Hag trap” that cost Manchester United.

In modern football, success is not just measured by trophies but also by continuous improvement, building a solid foundation for the future. Ten Hag failed to do that at Manchester United, and that is a lesson for all.

As the season draws to a close, the big question is: can Amorim and Postecoglou avoid the mistakes of their predecessors, or will they fall victim to the trap of "one trophy cannot save everything"?

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-bay-ten-hag-dang-rinh-rap-amorim-va-postecoglou-post1547319.html