Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta: Who has been the more impressive coach this season?

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta: Who has been the more impressive coach this season?

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM
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The Erik Ten Hag vs. Mikel Arteta comparison has been a matter of great debate over the 2022/23 season so far. The comparison has been led by both clubs' recent transformation as well as the deep-rooted rivalry. Both coaches are aiming for silverware and Champions League slot next season.

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta: Who has been the more impressive coach this season?
Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. Photo: Dan Mullan
Source: Getty Images

Being an elite team in the modern game is impossible without a well-organised press. The tactical expertise found in the Manchester United and Arsenal teams has contributed to their outstanding accomplishments.

Erik Ten Hag's vs Mikel Arteta's age

Erik ten Hag was born on February 2, 1970, which makes him 53 years old as of March 2023. He currently serves as the head coach of Manchester United, one of the most illustrious teams in the annals of English football.

His attacking ethos, which prioritises quick, fluid passing and aggressive pressing, is well-known. Ten Hag is a tactically astute coach who can alter his team's formation and strategy to take advantage of the weaknesses of his opposition.

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta coaching career
Christian Eriksen greets Mikel Arteta following a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London, on January 22, 2023. Photo: John Walton
Source: Getty Images

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta was born on March 26, 1982. He currently serves as the head coach of Arsenal, one of the oldest football clubs in England. He is a relatively new coach who is still just starting out.

Arteta is renowned for his meticulousness and capacity to bring out the best in his players. Compared to Ten Hag, Arteta takes a more defensive and methodical approach, emphasizing the preservation of his team's defensive shape and organisation. However, Arteta is also open to changing his strategy to match the strength of his team and his rivals.

Erik Ten Hag's vs Mikel Arteta's coaching career

ErikTen Hag vs Mikel Arteta head to head
Mikel Arteta (L) and Erik ten Hag (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, on September 4, 2022. Photo: OLI SCARFF
Source: Getty Images

Former professional football player Mikel Arteta played for teams like Arsenal, Everton, and Real Sociedad. After his playing career ended, he transitioned into coaching.

Arteta served as an assistant coach at Manchester City before being named the head coach of Arsenal in December 2019. In his first season in charge, he led Arsenal to two victories, the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

Erik ten Hag is a former professional footballer who played for clubs like Twente and De Graafschap. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Bayern Munich in 2012. Subsequently, he was appointed head coach of the Dutch team Utrecht. Later, he took over as manager of Ajax, one of the top football teams in the Netherlands.

Ten Hag spent the 2018–19 season with Ajax, winning two Eredivisie championships, a Dutch Cup, and advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Manchester United hired him in April 2022. On February 26, 2023, the Red Devils defeated Newcastle United 2-0 to win the EFL Cup, giving him his first trophy with the club.

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta head to head

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta achievements
Erik ten Hag (R) shakes hands with Mikel Arteta after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 4, 2022, in Manchester, England. Photo: Tom Purslow
Source: Getty Images

Since Ten Hag's arrival, the two coaches have faced off against each other three times, all of which were Premier League games. Erik Ten Hag has struggled against Mikel Arteta's young team on two separate occasions, both away games. He did, however, succeed in winning his only match at Old Trafford, displaying his fearsome claws when at home.

Competition

Date

Home

Away

Scores

EPL

22‑Jan‑23

Arsenal

Man Utd

3‑2

EPL

04‑Sep‑22

Man Utd

Arsenal

3‑1

EPL

23‑Apr‑22

Arsenal

Man Utd

3‑1

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta awards

On individual accolades, the Arsenal coach has received a number of Manager Of The Month awards. He has been the best coach in the following months; September 2021, March 2022, August 2022, November/December 2022, and January 2023.

The Manchester United coach won only one EPL Manager of the month award on September 2022. However, he has also won other honours throughout his coaching career, including three Rinus Michels Awards (2015–16, 2018–19, and 2020–21).

Erik Ten Hag's vs Mikel Arteta's salary

Erik Ten Hag vs Mikel Arteta salary
Erik ten Hag (L) shakes hands with Mikel Arteta after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023, in London, England. Photo: Matthew Peters
Source: Getty Images

It is important to remember that football managers' pay can vary significantly depending on a number of variables, including their level of experience, professional success, and the club they manage. Salary levels may also alter over time due to contract negotiations or other circumstances.

At Manchester United, Erik ten Hag earns $10.83 million annually, making the club's highest-paid athletes significantly wealthier than their manager. Ten Hag's salary is sizable, but it violates one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most important rules: no United player can be more important than the team. The legendary Scottish manager at Old Trafford was consistently paid more than his players during his incredibly successful tenure there.

In the middle of 2022, Arteta also secured a pay raise, reportedly increasing his annual salary to $9.9 million. This amounts to about $190,185 per week, a sizable sum for the manager. This puts even more pressure on him to deliver at the club.

Growing young players and implementing a possession-based style of play have both shown promise under Mikel Arteta. Erik ten Hag is known for his attacking style from the teams coached.

Ultimately, it comes down to what a team wants in a manager. Arteta might be a better option for a team looking for a manager who can groom young players and implement a possession-based style of play. Ten Hag might be a better option if a team is looking for a manager with a track record of success and an attacking style of play.

R‌EAD ALSO: Which are the all-time biggest football rivalries in the UK?

Sports Brief also wrote about the biggest football rivalries in the UK, including the Merseyside derby, which also has the highest number of red cards. But which are the most prominent football rivalries in the UK?

The rivalry is mostly between the most successful clubs in the football arena, dating back 100 seasons back. Who are England's biggest rivals? Click on the above link to find out!

Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.
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Erik Ten HaagMikel Arteta