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Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven has revealed he "never expected" the club's decision to part ways with former manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian's spell in charge was terminated a just 16 days after he guided Tottenham to victory in the European final, delivering the team's first piece of silverware in 17 years.

Yet, this continental triumph was not matched in the domestic league, with the side ending up in a disappointing 17th position in his last campaign in charge.

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

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

"I'm not sure how everything went backstage. I didn't expect it. It was odd how everything went afterwards - he's the manager that brought a trophy to the club," he added.

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

The Rise and Fall

Postecoglou joined Tottenham from Celtic before the 2023-24 season, replacing Antonio Conte. He made a bright start with his attacking style of play, amassing an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

Nevertheless, that unbeaten run was halted with four losses in five matches, and the team's form deteriorated, ultimately failing to secure a top-four finish by a mere two points.

The following season, they won just 11 out of 38 Premier League fixtures.

Lacking a Plan B

Although he enjoyed Postecoglou's style, Dutch international Van de Ven thinks the squad lacked a "alternative strategy" and revealed he and defensive partner Romero discussed taking a more defensive approach with the manager.

"I liked the attacking football at that time 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 counter-attack," he said.

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

"But, coaches study everything and people figured out what we were doing. Sometimes we didn't really have a plan B and we were getting exposed. We didn't have solutions to get out."

"On one occasion me and Romero approached the manager and suggested we need to adjust tactically and play more defensive to ensure we secure victory in those games. He was responded, 'I understand with you but I expect you two guys to sort this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"