When Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United on Thursday evening they will do so with a new man in charge - but it won't be the first time Erik ten Hag has had to contend with the supposed new manager bounce.
Spurs announced the sacking of interim manager Christian Stellini on Monday afternoon, less than a month after full-time boss Antonio Conte suffered the same fate. The killer blow this time came at St James' Park as Newcastle scored five times in the opening 21 minutes of an eventual 6-1 win.
Chairman Daniel Levy described the defeat as 'devastating' in a statement that confirmed the Italian's departure and the appointment of Ryan Mason to take charge for the rest of the season. The former midfielder took charge for a brief spell last season, replacing Jose Mourinho, and will welcome Ten Hag to north London for his first game back.
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United have unwittingly made a habit of kicking off the careers of new managers this season - this is the third occasion in which a manager has been shown the exit door days before facing the Reds, and neither of the previous two ended with a win.
Unai Emery's first game in charge of Aston Villa saw him mastermind a 3-1 win over United in November, while Leeds United's decision to sack Jesse Marsch came just days before a trip to Old Trafford. Under-23s coach Michael Skubala was handed control and had just days to prepare.
“We have to be aware of that,” United manager Ten Hag admitted of the new manager effect before the game in February. “When Jesse Marsch was in the lead, it was clear how they play. Now it’s possible they change, it’s also possible they don’t change. I think we only will find out on the pitch tomorrow.
“But then we need good anticipation of that. The difference at that time [against Villa] was when Emery came in they had a week, or maybe even longer, to prepare. And now they have not so much time to prepare.”
Skubala's Leeds was an unknown quantity, and United seemed to be unnerved by that as they fell behind inside the first minute before seeing their deficit doubled just after half-time. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were able to save face and gain a point.
Preparing to face Mason's Spurs on Thursday can at least offer something to work with, following that brief seven-game spell last season. Whether the 31-year-old keeps things as they are or opts for wholesale changes remains to be seen, but this is becoming a situation Ten Hag and United are used to.
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