Ange Postecoglou has questioned whether Erik ten Hag would have been sacked if he was at Tottenham rather than Manchester United.
Ten Hag was sent packing on Monday after nearly two-and-a-half years at the club, and is set to be replaced by Ruben Amorim with United willing to play the Portuguese's release clause.
He will have the task of turning around the Red Devils' fortunes when he takes over, with the club 14th in the Premier League and having not won in Europe for over a year.
Postecoglou, meanwhile, speaking before his side's Carabao Cup game against Manchester City this week, compared the Dutchman's efforts at United to his own at Tottenham.
He gave his verdict on his dismissal, pointing to the fact that he managed to win two trophies in two years.
'Nah, not really shocked,' Postecoglou, whose Spurs side beat United less than a month ago, said. 'Disappointing as it was, it was almost inevitable with the scrutiny he had.
'If you look at Erik, he was there for two and a bit years. He won a trophy in each year, they finished third in his first year. If he was here with that record would he have lost his job? I don't know.
'Would he be under the same scrutiny? I don't know, because everyone tells me all I have to do is win a trophy, but I have got a feeling it would be the same because, just the nature of the world today.'
Tottenham haven't won a trophy since 2008 when they lifted the League Cup, with supporters desperate for silverware again.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, won the League Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in 2024.
Postecoglou is determined to deliver that, but is keen not to underestimate the importance of finding the balance between silverware and long-term success.
He also wished the best for Ten Hag, who is now out of work having left his role at Old Trafford.
'As a manager you have to hit a sweet spot where you get success, you play football everyone likes, you get every signing right,' he continued. 'In that moment you seem to get some sort of validation.
'Anything other than that, it seems to be for some clubs they want trophies not football, others want football. It is a difficult task.
'But what you have seen in the past, I'm sure Erik will bounce back from that because he is a good manager. You have seen it with other managers. I'm sure his career will continue to go on strongly.'