🔗 Share this article

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has admitted he "was completely surprised by" the club's decision to part ways with former manager Postecoglou.

The Australian's two-year tenure was terminated a mere over two weeks after he led Tottenham to a win in the Europa League final, delivering the team's first major trophy in 17 years.

Yet, this European success was not matched in the domestic league, with the side ending up in a disappointing 17th place in his last campaign at the helm.

He was succeeded by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank during the off-season, but Tottenham currently sit 11th in the table, with 22 points, following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

"He is a fantastic manager. I have a lot of respect for him," Van de Ven stated on a podcast.

"I'm not sure how everything went behind the scenes. It came as a shock. It was strange how everything went after - he is the coach that won silverware to Tottenham," he continued.

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

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

The Australian manager joined Tottenham from Celtic ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, replacing Conte. He enjoyed early success with his attacking style of play, collecting an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

However, that fine start came to an abrupt end with four defeats in five matches, and the team's form deteriorated, eventually failing to secure Champions League qualification by a mere two-point margin.

The following season, they managed only 11 of their 38 league matches.

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven believes the squad was missing a "alternative strategy" and revealed he and fellow centre-back Romero discussed adopting a more defensive approach with the coach.

"I enjoyed the attacking football at that time but I appreciate what we have now with Thomas Frank. We are more solid at the back. I dislike being vulnerable every game on the break," he said.

"Initially under Postecoglou, no team was used to playing against our system. We were playing exceptional football."

"But, managers study everything and people knew what we were doing. Sometimes we lacked a backup plan and we were being caught out. We lacked solutions to resolve it."

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