🔗 Share this article

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has admitted he "never expected" the club's move to part ways with former manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian's spell in charge came to an end a mere over two weeks after he led the team to a win in the European final, delivering the team's first piece of silverware in 17 years.

However, this continental triumph was not mirrored in the Premier League, with the team ending up in a disappointing 17th position in Postecoglou's final season at the helm.

He was succeeded by ex-Brentford manager Frank during the summer, but Tottenham currently sit in 11th place, with 22 points from 16 games, following a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

"He is a fantastic manager. I have a lot of respect for him," the Dutch defender told The Overlap podcast.

"I don't know how everything went backstage. I didn't expect it. It was strange how everything went after - he's the manager that brought a trophy to Tottenham," he added.

"Later, when he was dismissed, I texted to my father and my friends and said, 'This was the last thing I thought would happen.'"

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

Postecoglou arrived at Tottenham from Celtic before the 2023/24 campaign, replacing Conte. He enjoyed early success with his offensive philosophy of play, collecting an impressive points haul from his opening 10 Premier League games.

Nevertheless, that unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with four defeats in five games, and the club's form deteriorated, ultimately failing to secure Champions League qualification by a narrow two points.

In the next campaign, they won just 11 of their 38 league matches.

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed Postecoglou's style, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the squad was missing a "plan B" and disclosed he and defensive partner Cristian Romero discussed taking a more cautious style with the coach.

"I liked the attacking football under Postecoglou but I like what we have now with Thomas Frank. We are more solid at the back. I don't like getting exposed every game on the break," he said.

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

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

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