Micky van de Ven breaks silence on Daniel Levy sacking

Micky van de Ven Reacts to Tottenham’s Shock Decision to Sack Ange Postecoglou Just 16 Days After Historic Europa League Triumph
In a move that has left many fans and pundits stunned, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has dismissed head coach Ange Postecoglou just over two weeks after the club celebrated a rare and historic victory in the UEFA Europa League.
Postecoglou, who became the first manager in over 17 years to bring a trophy back to the North London side, was hailed as a hero by the Spurs faithful following the club’s thrilling win over Manchester United in the final in Bilbao. That night represented one of the most euphoric moments for supporters in recent memory — a glimpse of hope and redemption after years of near misses and mediocrity.
However, despite that success on the European stage, Tottenham’s dismal domestic campaign proved to be Postecoglou’s undoing. Spurs endured a nightmare Premier League season, finishing 17th and barely avoiding relegation — a position entirely unacceptable to Levy and the club’s hierarchy. The chairman, known for his ruthless decision-making, wasted no time in pulling the trigger, opting to sack Postecoglou just 16 days after he lifted the Europa League trophy.

Micky van de Ven Says Postecoglou’s Sacking Feels “Strange”

Now, one of Tottenham’s key players has spoken out on the matter. Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, who joined Spurs under Postecoglou’s management and quickly became a fan favourite, has voiced his thoughts on the club’s controversial decision.
Speaking to Voetbal Zone, van de Ven admitted that he found the sacking unusual given the context of recent success and the bond Postecoglou had built with the squad.
“That was ultimately a choice from the club. We, as players, don’t have much influence over those decisions,” van de Ven explained. “But of course, when you look at it from the outside — he was the first coach in a very long time to win a trophy and achieve something meaningful at Spurs — it does feel like a strange choice.”
Van de Ven emphasized the respect Postecoglou commanded in the dressing room and acknowledged the special connection many players felt with the Australian coach.
“A lot of the players had a good relationship with him,” he said. “He showed he had quality. He proved that with the Europa League win — it demonstrated he had the mentality of a winner, and that’s something we hadn’t seen at the club for years.”
The defender admitted that the team’s league form was “unacceptable,” but he was also quick to point out that a poor domestic campaign should not be pinned solely on the manager.
“Yes, what we showed in the Premier League was not good enough, but there were a lot of factors that contributed to that. It wasn’t all down to the coach.”

Van de Ven’s Personal Tribute to Postecoglou

It’s clear that Postecoglou left a lasting impression on many of his players, and van de Ven, in particular, expressed his gratitude for the belief the coach showed in him. The 23-year-old, who made a crucial goal-line clearance in the Europa League final that proved pivotal in securing the win, took to Instagram shortly after the sacking to post a heartfelt message to his former manager.
“Gaffer, thank you for everything!” van de Ven wrote. “You believed in me from the first day I arrived at the club. We’ve had many ups and downs over the last two years, but you never stopped believing in us or pushing us forward.”
“You’ve played a massive role in this season’s success, and I’ll always be thankful that you made me a part of it. Wishing you all the best in whatever comes next.”

What’s Next for Spurs?

With Postecoglou gone, attention has quickly turned to who will be his replacement. Rumours are already swirling that Brentford boss Thomas Frank is in line for the role, though nothing has been confirmed.
Van de Ven acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, “There are some rumours about the Brentford coach — we’ll see what happens. It’s the club’s decision, and we as players just have to adapt.”
For now, Tottenham’s future remains unclear. The joy of their Europa League triumph has been quickly overshadowed by off-pitch turbulence, and the next appointment will be crucial in determining whether Spurs can build on their European success — or if they will once again stumble in search of long-term stability.