Everybody's favourite road-runner, Micky Van de Ven, has offered his opinion on Ange Postecoglou's sacking and he described the club's decision as "strange".
Tottenham opted to part ways with the man who helped end their 17-year wait for a major trophy by virtue of their Europa League success. Three weeks on from that unforgettable night in Bilbao, and Spurs look set to embark on another new dawn with Thomas Frank at the helm.
Despite Ange's continental success, our woeful domestic campaign rendered his position untenable in the eyes of the hierarchy. Daniel Levy allowed the emotion of May 21 to simmer before sacking the charismatic Aussie who had won back a big portion of the fanbase.
Heartfelt tributes arrived from the squad, particularly from James Maddison and Son Heung-min. Yves Bissouma, meanwhile, shared a screenshot of an exchange of messages with Postecoglou. Spurs' decision wouldn't have been popular with the players, and Van de Ven has echoed the feelings of many.
Micky Van de Ven questions Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou
The Dutchman said he was "forever grateful" to the now-departed manager for bringing him to N17 to summers ago, with Van de Ven blossoming into a critical figure of Ange's reign.
The speedy centre-back enjoyed himself over the June break for the Netherlands, as he scored in their emphatic 8-0 win over Malta on Tuesday night. Post-match, Van de Ven was asked about Ange's sacking by Voetbal Zone, to which he replied (via TBR Football): “That was ultimately a choice from the club. We, as players, have little to say about that. Of course, he is the first coach in a long time who has won a prize and has had success at Spurs. So if you look at it that way, it is of course a strange choice."
“I think a lot of players were good with him [Postecoglou]. 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," he added.
While the defender, who missed a big chunk of 2024/25 due to a hamstring injury, admitted Spurs' Premier League performance was "unacceptable", he suggested that their issues far transcended the manager.
Ange's gung-ho principles doubtless brought Van de Ven's unique brilliance to light, but the Dutchman's hamstrings will appreciate the more measured approach that's bound to be overseen by Thomas Frank, who looks set to be appoint as the Aussie's successor.
Van de Ven, though, will wonder whether who his centre-back partner will be come the start of the new season.