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Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has revealed he "never expected" the club's decision to dismiss former manager Postecoglou.

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

Yet, this continental triumph was not matched in the domestic league, with the side finishing in a lowly 17th place in his last season in charge.

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

"He was a really good manager. I have a lot of respect for him," Van de Ven told The Overlap podcast.

"I don't know how everything went backstage. I didn't expect it. It was strange how everything went after - he is the coach that brought a trophy to the club," he continued.

"Later, when he got sacked, I texted to my father and my friends and said, 'This was the last thing I thought would happen.'"

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

Postecoglou joined Spurs from Celtic before the 2023-24 season, replacing Antonio Conte. He enjoyed early success with his attacking style of play, collecting an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

However, that unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with four losses in five matches, and the club's form deteriorated, eventually failing to secure a top-four finish by a mere two-point margin.

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

Tactical Concerns Revealed

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

"I enjoyed the attacking football under Postecoglou but I like what we have now with Thomas Frank. We are more solid at the back. I don't like being vulnerable every game on the counter-attack," he explained.

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

"However, coaches study everything and people knew what we were doing. Sometimes we didn't really have a backup plan and we were getting exposed. We didn't have answers to get out."

"At one point Romero and I walked up to the gaffer and said we should adjust tactically and be more defensive to ensure we secure victory in those games. He was like, 'I understand with you but I expect you two guys to handle this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"