🔗 Share this article

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

The Australian's spell in charge came to an end a mere 16 days after he guided the team to a win in the European final, delivering the club's first piece of silverware in 17 years.

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

He was succeeded by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank during the summer, but Spurs currently sit in 11th place, with 22 points, following a 3-0 loss to Forest on Sunday.

"He is a fantastic manager. I still really like him," the Dutch defender told a podcast.

"I'm not sure how everything went backstage. It came as a shock. It was odd how everything went afterwards - he's the manager that won silverware to the club," he continued.

"Later, when he got sacked, I texted to my father and my mates and said, 'I never expected this.'"

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

Postecoglou joined Spurs from Scottish champions Celtic ahead of the 2023-24 season, taking over from Antonio Conte. He made a bright start with his attacking style of play, amassing an impressive points haul from his opening 10 league matches.

However, that fine start was halted with four losses in five matches, and the club's season tailed off, ultimately missing out on Champions League qualification by a narrow two points.

In the next campaign, they managed only 11 of their 38 league matches.

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the squad lacked a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and fellow centre-back Romero spoke about taking a more defensive approach with the manager.

"I liked the offensive play at that time 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 said.

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

"However, coaches study everything and opponents knew what we were doing. At times we didn't really have a plan B and we were getting exposed. We lacked solutions to resolve it."

"On one occasion Romero and I walked up to the gaffer and said we should change some things and be more defensive to make sure we secure victory in those games. He was like, 'I agree with you but I want you two guys to handle this on the pitch, make sure everybody knows.'"