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Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has admitted he "never expected" the club's move to dismiss ex-boss Postecoglou.

Postecoglou's spell in charge was terminated a mere 16 days after he guided Tottenham to victory in the Europa League final, securing the club's first major trophy in nearly two decades.

Yet, this European success was not mirrored in the domestic league, with the side ending up in a lowly 17th place in his last season in charge.

He was succeeded by former Brentford boss Frank during the summer, but Tottenham currently sit in 11th place, with 22 points, following a 3-0 loss to Forest on Sunday.

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

"I'm not sure how everything went behind the scenes. It came as a shock. It was strange how everything went afterwards - he's the manager that brought a trophy to the club," he added.

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

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

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

Nevertheless, that unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with four losses in five matches, and the team's season tailed off, ultimately missing out on a top-four finish by a mere two-point margin.

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

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed Postecoglou's style, Dutch international Van de Ven thinks the squad lacked a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and fellow centre-back Cristian Romero spoke about taking a more cautious style with the manager.

"I liked the attacking football at that time but I appreciate what we have now with Thomas Frank. We are more secure defensively. I dislike being vulnerable 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, managers study everything and opponents knew what we were doing. At times we lacked a plan B and we were getting exposed. We didn't have solutions to get out."

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