Micky van de Ven, Tottenham’s defender, recently shared insights from his time under former manager Ange Postecoglou in an interview on The Overlap podcast (December 16, 2025).
He revealed that players, including himself and Cristian Romero, pushed Postecoglou to adopt more defensive tactics during key moments in last season’s Europa League run—particularly when protecting leads.
Key Revelations
Van de Ven explained that the squad sometimes lacked a “Plan B” under Postecoglou’s high-pressing, attacking style, leading to exposure on counters. He and Romero approached the manager to suggest adjustments, such as dropping deeper when ahead.
Postecoglou agreed in parts, empowering the defenders to organise the team on the pitch. This shift proved crucial in matches like the quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt and the final against Manchester United (a 1-0 win in Bilbao, with a Brennan Johnson goal), helping Spurs secure their first trophy in 17 years.
Postecoglou’s Tenure and Sacking
Despite the Europa League success, Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League, leading to Postecoglou’s sacking shortly after the final. Van de Ven expressed surprise, saying he “never expected” it, given the silverware achievement, and texted Postecoglou wishing him well while noting their good relationship.
He remains positive about Postecoglou, stating he still believes in his system for producing “unbelievable football,” though adaptations were needed in Europe.
Current Context
Tottenham are now under Thomas Frank (appointed in the summer of 2025), sitting mid-table this season. Van de Ven’s comments have stirred discussion, with some viewing them as highlighting Postecoglou’s inflexibility, while others credit player input for the trophy.
Players intervened to adapt tactics during the successful Europa League campaign, not specifically “before he was sacked” to prevent it. The sacking stemmed from poor league form despite the European triumph.
Ange remains unemployed
Postecoglou proved he could succeed initially and win silverware, silencing early doubters about his lack of top-flight European experience. His philosophy produced exhilarating football at times and ended Tottenham’s trophy drought—a legacy players like Son Heung-min and van de Ven have praised, with van de Ven saying he still believes in the system for its quality.
However, his stubbornness in sticking to high-risk tactics without sufficient flexibility led to historic lows in the Premier League. The league’s intensity exposed naivety against top opposition, and back-to-back sackings damaged his reputation. He wasn’t completely out of his depth—he adapted enough to win in Europe—but he struggled to balance entertainment with pragmatism in domestic play, making sustained success elusive.
As of December 2025, he’s out of management, with speculation about returns elsewhere, but his Premier League record is mixed: innovative and trophy-winning, yet ultimately unsustainable at the highest level without evolution.
