In the press conference after the loss to Newcastle, Ruben Amorim showed a somewhat challenging attitude despite his team having suffered 4 consecutive defeats. Although Man United are struggling in 14th place in the Premier League rankings, the Portuguese coach still affirmed that he will not change his football philosophy.
I cant change my philosophy in one day because were going to lose more. I'm here for my ideals and I will continue to do it until the end. I have no other choice" - Ruben Amorim shared.
This statement can be understood in two ways. It can be a statement of strong confidence in its method but can also be seen as an admission of the limits in tactical flexibility.
However, Amorim is not the only one facing this pressure. With modern football, almost every coach is expected to not only bring victory but also be a symbol of a unique playing style.
Football philosophy has become the standard for coaching evaluation, instead of relying only on the ability to temporarily patch holes or adjust to suit the situation. One of the pioneers of this trend is Pep Guardiola, with his famous possession-based style of play at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City.
Clubs are not only looking for a captain to solve the immediate problem but also want them to build a long-term vision. This helps teams have a clear direction, making it easier to recruit players and build strategies. Moreover, it gives fans a sense of confidence in the future of the club.
Massimiliano Allegri once commented that flexibility in tactical thinking can become a disadvantage in job interviews. Employers today prioritize coaches with a clear philosophy, regardless of their ability to adjust flexibly.
Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham is also a typical example of his steadfastness in his philosophy. Even when faced with injuries to key players, the Australian strategist still maintains a high-intensity attacking style and a high defensive defense.
I have been really patient for the past 18 months when I sat here answering and answering the same questions over and over again. I don't know what plan B or C is, if people want me to change my approach, I will still keep my position" - Ange Postecoglou shared.
This consistency also comes with many risks. Amorim, Postecoglou and many other coaches have often been criticized for not adjusting their tactics to suit the situation. Amorim still applies his favorite tactical formation even though the midfield duo Christian Eriksen and Casemiro are not suitable. Similarly, Postecoglou kept the same demand for a high defensive line even when the team lacked quality centre-backs or played with 9 men on the pitch.
In theory, the benefits of this consistency are seen in the long term, but for fans, sometimes the lack of short-term results makes them skeptical about whether this journey really has a clear destination.
The rise of coaches like Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou reflects a new reality in modern football with success measured not only by the title but also by the meaning of the journey they have created.
However, football philosophy, no matter how important, needs to be considered in the practical context. Fans can be patient with a team with a vision, but they also need to see clear progress on the pitch. Football is ultimately still a game of victory and steadfastness only really matters when it brings worthy results.
