Jamie Carragher has highlighted the unique challenges of managing in the Premier League, suggesting that success in other leagues such as in Scotland and Portugal doesn't necessarily equip a manager for the rigours of England's top flight.
As Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim brace themselves Tottenham vs Manchester United this weekend, they're both feeling the heat with both teams currently in the bottom half of the table. Postecoglou has been at the helm for more than 18 months and there's a clear division in opinion regarding his time in charge, while Amorim is just beginning to navigate the complexities of his role. Both managers are finding it challenging to instil their philosophies amidst issues such as injuries and squad depth.
Despite each having secured numerous trophies at Sporting Lisbon and Celtic respectively, Carragher stresses the ease of their past domination does them few favours on English shores, where they frequently face unfamiliar hurdles. In his column for the Telegraph, Carragher writes: "Postecoglou and his Manchester United opponent this weekend, Ruben Amorim, face the same issue because they built their reputation in a league where they can dominate the ball. I hate the idea of dismissing managers because they 'only won the Scottish or Portuguese league'.
"If you excel in such countries, credit should be afforded. But with respect to Celtic and Sporting Lisbon, they never have to deal with so many fixtures in which they will suffer out of possession, and have to ready their players for those longer periods where they must focus on winning it back, or stopping clever, world-class attackers.
"Reading a game does not mean abandoning principles. Postecoglou and Amorim are fine coaches who deserve to be where they are. The question is how much they can evolve and compromise to make their sides more solid. That is where they are currently falling short.
"One of the most frequent misreadings of analysis of Postecoglou and Amorim is that such compromise means changing formations and ideals. Amorim needs European progression to save United's campaign. In all likelihood, Postecoglou needs it to keep his job."
Tottenham have struggled in the league, securing only two victories since the beginning of December. Meanwhile, Man Utd have experienced a downturn, losing seven of their last 11 matches, including their most recent game against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.