In a candid revelation that has sparked intrigue among Tottenham Hotspur’s supporters, Micky van de Ven has shed light on an unusual temporary player-manager role he and fellow defender Cristian Romero undertook during Ange Postecoglou’s tumultuous tenure at the club.
Despite securing Tottenham’s first piece of silverware in 17 years with a historic victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final, Postecoglou’s side struggled in the Premier League, finishing a disappointing 17th, a performance that ultimately cost him his managerial position. This underwhelming league campaign prompted Spurs to part ways with the Australian tactician over the summer, bringing former Brentford boss Thomas Frank into the fold.
Postecoglou’s initial attacking philosophy brought a breath of fresh air to the North London club, offering a striking contrast to the pragmatic styles of predecessors Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. However, his commitment to this approach often led to turbulent results, leaving defensive stalwarts like Van de Ven and Romero under pressure.
During an appearance on The Overlap, Van de Ven divulged a pivotal moment in their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt. He recounted the occasion when he and Romero approached Postecoglou, urging a shift to a more defensive stance after taking the lead. “We were ahead 1-0, and there was no need to keep attacking. We needed to consolidate, to defend that advantage with a low block,” Van de Ven recalled.
He further explained how Postecoglou entrusted the defensive duo with the responsibility of communicating this strategic shift to the rest of the team, thus effectively handing them a player-manager role on the pitch in those moments.
Van de Ven spoke warmly of his former manager, maintaining a high regard for his leadership and expressing surprise at his sacking, particularly after the memorable Europa League triumph. Postecoglou’s departure, according to Van de Ven, was a decision that still puzzles many within the club despite a turbulent league campaign.
Reflecting on his relationship with Postecoglou, Van de Ven revealed: “He was a fantastic manager; his departure was very unexpected, especially after delivering that Europa League win. There were constant rumours surrounding him, and I often found news about him scrolling through my feed. It was relentless.”
In a move that hinted at mutual respect, Van de Ven shared that he reached out to Postecoglou upon his departure, offering well wishes for the future.
With Tottenham now navigating a new chapter under the guidance of Thomas Frank, supporters are left to ponder what might have been, had Postecoglou’s bold philosophy successfully translated into Premier League success.