Spurs Defender Micky van de Ven Expresses Surprise Over Ange Postecoglou Sacking

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has revealed he "never expected" the club's decision to part ways with ex-boss Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou's two-year tenure was terminated a just 16 days after he guided the team to a win in the European final, securing the team's first piece of silverware in nearly two decades.

However, this European success was not mirrored in the domestic league, with the team ending up in a lowly 17th place in Postecoglou's final campaign at the helm.

He was succeeded by ex-Brentford manager Thomas Frank during the summer, but Spurs are presently 11th in the table, with 22 points from 16 games, following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

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

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

"Later, when he was dismissed, I sent a message to my father and my mates and said, 'This was the last thing I thought would happen.'"

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

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

Nevertheless, that fine start came to an abrupt end with four defeats in five matches, and the team's season tailed off, eventually failing to secure Champions League qualification by a mere two points.

The following season, they managed only 11 of their 38 Premier League fixtures.

Lacking a Plan B

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international the defender believes the squad was missing a "plan B" and disclosed he and fellow centre-back Romero spoke about adopting a more cautious style with the coach.

"I liked the attacking football under Postecoglou 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 explained.

"At the beginning under Postecoglou, no team was used to playing against our style. We were playing exceptional football."

"But, managers study everything and people figured out what we were doing. At times we lacked a plan B and we were being caught out. We lacked answers to resolve it."

"On one occasion me and Romero walked up to the gaffer and said we should adjust tactically and play more defensive to make sure we win those games. He was responded, 'I agree with you but I expect you two guys to handle this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"