Spurs Defender Micky van de Ven Shares Shock Over Ange Postecoglou Dismissal

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Van de Ven has admitted he "never expected" the club's decision to part ways with former manager Postecoglou.

Postecoglou's two-year tenure came to an end a just 16 days after he guided Tottenham to victory in the European final, securing the club's first piece of silverware in nearly two decades.

However, this continental triumph was not matched in the domestic league, with the team finishing in a disappointing 17th position in Postecoglou's final campaign in charge.

He was replaced by ex-Brentford manager Thomas Frank during the off-season, but Tottenham are presently in 11th place, with 22 points from 16 games, following a 3-0 defeat to Forest at the weekend.

"He was a really good manager. I have a lot of respect for him," Van de Ven stated on a podcast.

"I don't know how everything went behind the scenes. I didn't expect it. It was strange how everything went after - he's the manager that won silverware to Tottenham," he added.

"Afterwards, when he was dismissed, I sent a message to my father and my mates and said, 'I never expected this.'"

The Rise and Fall

The Australian manager joined Tottenham from Scottish champions Celtic before the 2023/24 campaign, taking over from Conte. He made a bright start with his attacking style of play, amassing an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

However, that unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with four defeats in five games, and the club's season tailed off, ultimately missing out on a top-four finish by a narrow two points.

In the next campaign, they won just 11 of their 38 Premier League fixtures.

Lacking a Plan B

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the squad lacked a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and defensive partner Romero discussed taking a more cautious style with the coach.

"I liked the attacking football under Postecoglou but I appreciate what we have now with our current manager. We are more secure defensively. I dislike getting exposed every game on the counter-attack," he explained.

"At the beginning with that system, no team was accustomed to playing against our style. We were playing exceptional football."

"However, coaches analyse everything and people knew what we were doing. At times we lacked a plan B and we were being caught out. We didn't have answers to resolve it."

"At one point Romero and I approached the manager and suggested we should adjust tactically and be more defensive to make sure we secure victory in those games. He was responded, 'I agree with you but I expect you two guys to sort this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"