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Spurs centre-back Van de Ven has admitted he "was completely surprised by" the club's decision to dismiss ex-boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian's spell in charge was terminated a just 16 days after he guided the team to victory in the European final, securing the club's first major trophy in 17 years.

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

He was replaced by ex-Brentford manager Frank during the summer, but Spurs currently sit in 11th place, with 22 points, following a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

"He was a really good manager. I still really like him," Van de Ven told The Overlap podcast.

"I don't know how everything went behind the scenes. It came as a shock. It was strange how everything went afterwards - he is the coach that won silverware to the club," he continued.

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

The Rise and Fall

The Australian manager joined Tottenham from Scottish champions Celtic before the 2023-24 season, replacing Conte. He made a bright start with his offensive philosophy of play, amassing 26 points from his opening 10 Premier League games.

Nevertheless, that fine start was halted with four defeats in five games, and the club's form deteriorated, ultimately missing out on Champions League qualification by a narrow two points.

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

Tactical Concerns Revealed

Although he enjoyed the attacking approach, Netherlands international Van de Ven thinks the squad was missing a "alternative strategy" and disclosed he and fellow centre-back Romero spoke about adopting a more cautious style with the manager.

"I enjoyed the attacking football 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 counter-attack," he said.

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

"But, coaches study everything and people knew what we were doing. Sometimes we didn't really have a backup plan and we were being caught out. We lacked solutions to get out."

"On one occasion Romero and I approached the gaffer and suggested we need to adjust tactically and play more defensive to ensure we win those games. He was responded, 'I agree with you but I want you two guys to handle this on the pitch, ensure everybody knows.'"