Micky van de Ven has openly expressed his surprise and disappointment following Tottenham Hotspur's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou. The news, which broke last week, saw Daniel Levy terminate Postecoglou's contract exactly two years after his appointment, a mere 16 days after the club clinched the Europa League title, ending a 17-year trophy drought.

Van de Ven, currently with the Netherlands national team, where he recently scored in their 8-0 victory over Malta, shared his thoughts on the matter with Voetbal Zone. He acknowledged that the decision ultimately rested with the club's management, stating, "That was ultimately a choice from the club. We, as players, have little to say about that."

The defender highlighted the significance of Postecoglou's achievement, noting, "Of course, he is the first coach in a long time who has won a trophy has had success at Spurs. So if you look at it that way, it is of course a strange choice." Tottenham's statement confirming Postecoglou's dismissal thanked him for delivering "one of the club's greatest moments" but also cited their disappointing 17th-place finish in the Premier League, marked by 22 losses in 38 matches – their worst record in over a century.

Speculation is now rife regarding Postecoglou's successor, with rumors linking Brentford head coach Thomas Frank to the position. Van de Ven commented on these rumors, saying, "Of course, we see some rumors about the Brentford head coach [Frank], who it will probably be. So yes, a choice from the club about which we have little to say."

The Dutch international also emphasized the positive rapport between the players and Postecoglou. "I think many of the players got along with [Postecoglou] well. And of course, what I say, he is the first coach who has brought success to Spurs in a long time. That also shows that he has a certain quality. That also means that he has a winning mentality. 100 per cent." This sentiment underscores the shock felt by many within the squad at the sudden change in leadership.

Van de Ven didn't shy away from addressing Tottenham's poor Premier League performance, admitting, "What we have shown in the Premier League is, of course, unacceptable." However, he suggested that multiple factors contributed to the team's struggles, not solely the coach. "That would, of course, have multiple factors, but that would not only have been the coach," he explained.

Despite the disappointing league finish, Postecoglou's ability to guide the team to a European trophy was a testament to his capabilities. Van de Ven himself played a crucial role in their Europa League triumph, including a vital goal-line clearance in the final against Manchester United. This victory not only ended Tottenham's trophy drought but also validated Postecoglou's promise to deliver silverware in his second season.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how Tottenham will fare under new leadership. The players' positive relationship with Postecoglou and his proven "winning mentality" will undoubtedly be missed. As the club prepares to appoint a new manager, the challenge will be to maintain the positive momentum generated by Postecoglou's tenure while addressing the issues that led to their disappointing league form.