Adapt or die? Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou seem intent on falling on their swords rather than changing their approach in the event of adversity.
“I'm not going to change the way I see the game. I'm very clear about that,” Amorim said after his Man Utd side lost 3-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday to fall to a sixth Premier League defeat. of the season at Old Trafford.
He is determined to create the 3-4-2-1 structure that has brought him so much success in sports work, whatever it takes.
“The players will suffer, I'm sorry, the fans will suffer,” he continued. “I have one way of doing things, I know it's going to happen [bring] results.”
At the same time, a depleted Tottenham were coming to terms with a 3–2 defeat at Everton, conceding three times in the first half after the second-worst attack in the Premier League.
Postecoglou has flexibility in terms of formations: he started with a back three at Goodison Park before throwing it out the window at half-time. But the forefoot approach, with or without the ball, is non-negotiable.
Even if it leads to Iliman Ndiaye running away from Archie Gray and running past Radu Dragusin to score. Or Arsenal trapping Spurs back in their defensive third as they repeatedly try not to play through their rivals' press, as happened in midweek.
Amorim will point to his remarkable record as a two-time title winner with Sporting in Portugal, which earned him his move to United, as evidence of why he should stick with his idea.
Similarly, Postecoglou has pointed out that you don't get from Australia to the Premier League without a clear philosophy.
Before taking charge of a match at England's top level, he said he would not change his approach no matter the situation. Even though Spurs took a 1-0 lead late in a crucial match. He has remained steadfast in that regard since, despite injuries currently accounting for 80 percent of his first-choice defense.
“When I see teams breaking the mold in any sport, people get really worried about it. And then you know, 'OK, this could be something special,'” he said during a pre-season sitdown . at the Spurs training ground in August 2023.
“It's not guaranteed to work. It could all fall to pieces and end in tears. But if you make people uncomfortable and uneasy with what they see, it probably means you're breaking new ground and I love that in everything life.
“That's where the special stuff exists and that's the kind of space I'm in.”
Unfortunately for Postecoglou and Spurs, the space they are in now is 15th.
United are not much better positioned, just a few positions and points ahead. Both miles away from where they want to be.
It's a testing time for their commitment to their ideals, with both coaches routinely asked: wouldn't it be better to try something different for the time being? To make their lives easier in the short term? To protect inexperienced players, to sit back and plug a leaky defense, or to wait until you make purchases that better suit your style?
Both men have little time for such suggestions.
Later on Sunday, Manchester City moved back into the top four with a resounding win at Ipswich, leaving Pep Guardiola to relish the return of his players' joy in the match. City were in the mood again and perhaps their miserable months are behind them.
But while this has largely been a season to forget for City so far, Guardiola is a point of difference in the approach taken by Amorim at United and Postecoglou at Tottenham. Although the trio share similar ideas about the way they like to play the game, Guardiola's success at City comes in different ways.
From signing Sergio Aguero to winning the Premier League without a striker and then hiring the most lethal assassin of them all, Erling Haaland, the centerpiece of Guardiola's attack has been transformed and then transformed again.
On the flanks there were wide playmakers, inverted wingers and now, with Jeremy Doku, one-on-one dribblers. Behind them, the profile of full-backs has evolved from flying overlappers to players comfortable enough on the ball to step into central midfield. In recent seasons, the entire backline has sometimes consisted of central defenders.
Of course, Guardiola has been given the license, money and time to shape his side and overcome the challenges he faces. Amorim is still working with a squad put together for Erik ten Hag, while Postecoglou's supporters will say he is not sufficiently supported by Daniel Levy and co.
But it's interesting to note that the most successful Premier League manager of the past decade has reimagined his side time and time again, with the two coaches sticking faithfully to their one idea – regardless of injuries, personnel or circumstances – currently just above fade away from relegation. zone.
Only time will tell if their stubbornness is well placed.
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