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Tottenham Hotspur 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 came to an end a just over two weeks after he guided Tottenham to victory in the Europa League final, delivering the team's first piece of silverware in 17 years.

However, this European success was not mirrored in the domestic league, with the side finishing in a lowly 17th position in his last campaign at the helm.

He was replaced by former Brentford boss Frank during the off-season, but Spurs currently sit 11th in the table, with 22 points from 16 games, following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

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

"I don't know how everything went backstage. I didn't expect it. It was strange how everything went afterwards - he is the coach that won silverware to Tottenham," he continued.

"Afterwards, when he got sacked, I sent a message to my dad and my friends and said, 'This was the last thing I thought would happen.'"

The Rise and Fall

Postecoglou joined Spurs from Scottish champions Celtic before the 2023-24 season, replacing Antonio Conte. He made a bright start with his attacking style of play, collecting 26 points from his first ten Premier League games.

However, that unbeaten run was halted with four losses in five matches, and the team's form deteriorated, ultimately missing out on Champions League qualification by a narrow two points.

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

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed Postecoglou's style, Netherlands international Van de Ven believes the squad lacked a "plan B" and revealed he and defensive partner Cristian Romero spoke about taking a more defensive approach with the coach.

"I enjoyed the attacking football at that time but I appreciate what we have now with our current manager. We are more solid defensively. I don't like being vulnerable every game on the break," he said.

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

"But, managers analyse everything and people knew what we were doing. At times we lacked a plan B and we were getting exposed. We lacked answers to resolve it."

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