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Spurs defender Micky van de Ven has admitted he "was completely surprised by" the club's move to dismiss former manager Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian's spell in charge came to an end a just 16 days after he led Tottenham to a win in the European 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 ending up in a disappointing 17th place in Postecoglou's final season at the helm.

He was replaced by ex-Brentford manager Frank during the off-season, but Tottenham currently sit in 11th place, with 22 points from 16 games, following a 3-0 defeat to Forest on Sunday.

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

"I don't know how everything went behind the scenes. I didn't expect it. It was strange how everything went after - he is the coach that won silverware to the club," he added.

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

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggle

The Australian manager joined Tottenham from Celtic before the 2023/24 campaign, taking over from Conte. He made a bright start with his offensive philosophy of play, collecting an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

Nevertheless, that fine start came to an abrupt end with four losses in five matches, and the club's season tailed off, eventually failing to secure a top-four finish by a narrow two-point margin.

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

Lacking a Plan B

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Dutch international Van de Ven thinks the squad was missing a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and defensive partner Cristian Romero spoke about adopting 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 dislike getting exposed every game on the break," he said.

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

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

"At one point Romero and I approached the manager and suggested we need to change some things and be 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 sort this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"