Micky van de Ven reveals what Ange Postecoglou said to him that made him go all out for that risky-Goal Line clearance
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has expressed his joy at helping manager Ange Postecoglou uphold his remarkable tradition of winning silverware in his second season at every club he’s coached. The Dutch centre-back played a crucial role in Spurs’ historic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao, a result that ended the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy.
Earlier in the season, Postecoglou made headlines when he confidently claimed he always wins a trophy in his second campaign at any club. At the time, the statement drew widespread skepticism from rival fans and pundits alike, especially as Tottenham were struggling with injuries and inconsistency in the Premier League. However, the Australian tactician now has the last laugh, having guided Spurs to their first-ever European title—becoming only the third manager in the club’s history to achieve such a feat.
Van de Ven, who delivered a standout performance on the night, shared how much it meant to prove the doubters wrong.
“The gaffer said it—and he delivered,” said the 24-year-old. “He’s done it again in his second year, and anyone who questioned him or doubted us as a team, we’ve answered them in the best way possible. We’re really happy we could help him keep that reputation alive.”
He acknowledged that Tottenham’s domestic form left much to be desired, describing their Premier League campaign as “really poor,” but emphasized that their European journey showed a different side to the team—one filled with belief, determination, and unity.
“The league campaign was tough, no doubt. We didn’t meet the standards we set for ourselves, but in Europe, we turned it on. We stayed strong, showed our character, and performed when it mattered most.”
One of the defining moments of the final came late in the match, when Van de Ven made a dramatic and painful goal-line clearance to deny Rasmus Hojlund a certain equalizer. The acrobatic effort left him wincing in pain, but ultimately proved crucial in preserving Spurs’ slender lead.
“I can’t lie—it hurt!” he admitted with a chuckle. “Vic [Guglielmo Vicario] came out, the ball bounced off his head and landed perfectly for Hojlund. I just thought, ‘I’ve got to get to that goal line because if he heads it over Vic, that’s in.’ I saw it coming and, honestly, I wasn’t sure how I’d stop it, but I just threw myself at it. Thankfully, it worked. The pain afterwards? Totally worth it for a clean sheet in a European final.”
For Van de Ven and his teammates, lifting the Europa League trophy was more than just a celebration—it was a statement. It was proof that the club, so often mocked for its lack of silverware, could finally silence the critics and write its own chapter in European football.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. People doubted us all season, but we’ve made history now. Every game in Europe, we showed what we’re capable of. The gaffer played a massive part in that. He kept us together, believed in us, and gave us the confidence to believe in ourselves. That unity is what pushed us over the line.”
With Champions League qualification secured for next season and a UEFA Super Cup clash on the horizon, Van de Ven was asked if this success could be the beginning of a new era for Tottenham.
“Of course we want to build on this. But right now, it’s about enjoying this moment. You don’t win European trophies every day, especially at a club that’s waited so long for one. That said, the ambition is there—we want to achieve more next season. That hunger doesn’t stop.”
On the night of the final, Tottenham were without three of their key creative forces—James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall—but Postecoglou adapted brilliantly, opting for a compact and disciplined 4-3-3 formation. The team showed maturity beyond its years, balancing pragmatism with flair as they navigated a tense encounter against a dangerous United side.
“We had a plan, but football is unpredictable,” Van de Ven explained. “Both sides had chances in the first half, and we managed to score ours. In the second half, we knew they’d push us back, and we had to defend deep. But we did it with heart. Shaw had a big header, Hojlund too—but we held strong. Another clean sheet in Europe, and that says a lot about our development as a team.”
Reflecting on the journey since he joined Tottenham, Van de Ven also had a message for the so-called “banter merchants” who mocked his move to north London, claiming he would never win silverware with Spurs.
“People joked that I’d never win anything here. I saw all that on social media,” he said. “Well, they’ll probably keep talking—but I don’t care anymore. We’ve lifted a trophy. That’s all that matters—to us, to the fans, and to this club.”
With the monkey finally off their back, Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou and the leadership of players like Van de Ven, have given their supporters something to truly believe in. For the first time in nearly two decades, Spurs are not just dreaming of glory—they’re living it.