🔗 Share this article

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven has admitted he "never expected" the club's move to dismiss ex-boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian's two-year tenure came to an end a just over two weeks after he led Tottenham to victory in the European final, securing the club's first major trophy in 17 years.

However, this European success was not mirrored in the Premier League, with the team ending up in a disappointing 17th place in his last campaign in charge.

He was replaced by former Brentford boss Frank during the summer, but Tottenham are presently in 11th place, with 22 points, following a 3-0 defeat to Forest at the weekend.

"He is a really good manager. I still really like him," Van de Ven stated on a podcast.

"I don't know how everything went behind the scenes. It came as a shock. It was strange how everything went afterwards - he's the manager that won silverware to Tottenham," he continued.

"Afterwards, when he was dismissed, I texted to my dad and my mates and said, 'I never expected this.'"

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

Postecoglou joined Tottenham from Celtic ahead of the 2023-24 season, taking over from Conte. He made a bright start with his attacking style of play, amassing 26 points from his first ten league matches.

However, that unbeaten run was halted with four losses in five games, and the team's form deteriorated, ultimately failing to secure a top-four finish by a narrow two points.

The following season, they won just 11 out of 38 league matches.

Tactical Concerns Revealed

While he appreciated the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the team lacked a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and defensive partner Cristian Romero spoke about adopting a more defensive approach with the manager.

"I liked the offensive play at that time but I like what we have now with our current manager. We are more secure at the back. I dislike getting exposed every game on the break," he said.

"Initially with that system, no team was used to playing against our style. We were playing unbelievable football."

"But, managers study everything and people knew what we were doing. Sometimes we didn't really have a plan B and we were being caught out. We didn't have solutions to get out."

"On one occasion me and Romero approached the manager and said we need to adjust tactically and be more defensive to make sure we secure victory in those games. He was responded, 'I understand with you but I want you two guys to handle this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"