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Spurs defender Van de Ven has admitted he "never expected" the club's decision to part ways with ex-boss Postecoglou.

Postecoglou's spell in charge came to an end a just over two weeks after he led the team to victory in the European final, securing the club's first major trophy in nearly two decades.

However, this European success was not matched in the domestic league, with the team ending up in a lowly 17th position in Postecoglou's final season in charge.

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

"He was a really good manager. I still really like him," the Dutch defender stated on 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 brought a trophy to Tottenham," he continued.

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

The Rise and Fall

The Australian manager arrived at Spurs from Scottish champions Celtic ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, replacing Conte. He enjoyed early success with his offensive philosophy of play, collecting an impressive points haul from his first ten league matches.

Nevertheless, that fine start was halted with four defeats in five games, and the team's form deteriorated, eventually failing to secure Champions League qualification by a narrow two points.

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

Lacking a Plan B

While he appreciated the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the team lacked a "plan B" and disclosed he and defensive partner Romero discussed adopting a more defensive approach with the coach.

"I enjoyed the offensive play at that time but I appreciate what we have now with our current manager. We are more secure defensively. I don't like being vulnerable every game on the break," he explained.

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

"However, coaches analyse everything and people figured out what we were doing. At times we didn't really have a plan B and we were being caught out. We didn't have answers to get out."

"At one point Romero and I approached the gaffer and suggested we need to adjust tactically and play more defensive to make sure we secure victory in those games. He was like, 'I agree with you but I want you two guys to sort this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"