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

Postecoglou's two-year tenure came to an end a mere 16 days after he led the team to a win in the Europa League final, securing the team's first major trophy in nearly two decades.

Yet, this continental triumph was not mirrored in the domestic league, with the side ending up in a disappointing 17th place in Postecoglou's final campaign in charge.

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

"He was a fantastic manager. I have a lot of respect for him," Van de Ven stated on 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 won silverware to Tottenham," he added.

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

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

The Australian manager joined Spurs from Celtic before the 2023/24 campaign, taking over from Antonio Conte. He enjoyed early success with his attacking style of play, collecting 26 points from his opening 10 league matches.

Nevertheless, that fine start was halted with four defeats in five matches, and the club's season tailed off, ultimately failing to secure a top-four finish by a narrow two-point margin.

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

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international the defender believes the team was missing a "alternative strategy" and revealed he and fellow centre-back Romero discussed adopting a more cautious style with the manager.

"I enjoyed the attacking football at that time but I like what we have now with our current manager. We are more solid defensively. I don't like getting exposed every game on the counter-attack," he said.

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

"But, coaches study everything and opponents knew what we were doing. At times we didn't really have a backup plan and we were getting exposed. We didn't have answers to get out."

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