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Micky van de Ven has now opened up on Tottenham’s decision to sack Ange Postecoglou after his Europa League triumph and what he told the Australian after his departure.

The decision by Tottenham Hotspur to sack Ange Postecoglou has left opinion split among those connected with the club, given what he achieved during his two-year stint in north London.

The Australian was the man who ended Spurs’ near two-decade wait for silverware, delivering the Europa League trophy in Bilbao, Spain, and in doing so, he wrote his name into the club’s modern history.

However, Postecoglou also presided over the club’s worst-ever Premier League campaign, with Tottenham sitting 17th after losing 22 league games, a damaging run that ultimately led the board to decide to part ways.

Micky van de Ven reacts to Ange Postecoglou sacking at Tottenham

Although Postecoglou has since departed, his influence clearly lingers within the Tottenham dressing room, with several players continuing to speak warmly about his impact and man-management.

James Maddison had already spoken earlier this season about how much he enjoyed playing under Postecoglou, and now Micky van de Ven has opened up on the Australian and the club’s decision to sack him, speaking to The Overlap.

Reflecting on Postecoglou as a coach and the abrupt nature of his exit, van de Ven said: “I think even if he (Postecoglou) could, what you say, he was a really good manager.

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“I still really like him to this day, and I do not know how everything went backstage, that he won the Europa League and then got sacked afterwards, I have no clue.”

The Dutch defender then addressed whether he ever expected Postecoglou to lose his job, explaining how the constant speculation contrasted sharply with the outcome.

“No, no, no, I did not expect it. Of course, you see a lot of rumours out there because everybody was on Ange, especially the media.

“You saw everything popping up on your phone; there was not a day where I scrolled and saw nothing about our gaffer.

“There was always something about him, but it was strange how everything went afterwards. When you think he was the manager that won silverware for Tottenham and then afterwards he got sacked, I just sent a text to my dad and my friends saying I never expected this.”

What van de Ven told Postecoglou after Spurs sacking

Van de Ven also revealed that he reached out to Postecoglou directly following the decision, underlining the personal relationship the pair shared during their time together at Spurs.

Speaking again to The Overlap, the centre-back explained what that message contained and why he chose his words carefully.

“I just told him all the best in the future. I did not say it was a strange decision from the club, I just said I never expected this to happen and I thanked him for the two years I had with him.

“I had a good relationship with him, I was close with him, and he was the manager that brought me to Tottenham. He was the first person I spoke to, and when I had been there three days he was just like, nah, you play.”

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to add to their squad when the transfer window reopens and Thomas Frank is targeting one particular type of player.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to implement a new transfer strategy after a summer which has seen success mixed with failure.

Some signings such as Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have played well since the very start of the season, but others have taken longer to settle at Spurs.

Xavi Simons has only recently begun to show what he is capable of doing, while Randal Kolo Muani is yet to register a Premier League goal contribution.

Thomas Frank wants Tottenham to sign players with Premier League experience

Thomas Frank has made Spurs aware of his January wishlist and this includes players who are experienced and will help to improve his starting lineup, according to The Times.

However, this does not necessarily mean he wants more senior players. Instead, the Dane is interested in those who have already proven themselves in the Premier League.

This could be difficult for Tottenham to achieve, because the club will have to pay the premium in transfer fees and wages to pull off such deals in the January window.

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Spurs must back Frank in January

Tottenham made it clear last season that Ange Postecoglou would not be sacked midway through the season. Despite this, very little effort was made to provide him with any financial backing in Janaury, when the Tottenham first-team squad were on their knees with injuries.

This simply cannot be allowed to happen again. Spurs as a club have made it clear that Frank is going to keep his job for now and while some supporters will disagree with this decision, he must be given the resources he needs to try and rescue Tottenham’s season. Keeping the manager without helping him is only going to end badly.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have come to a decision on whether or not to sell Guglielmo Vicario and it could divide Spurs supporters.

Guglielmo Vicario is walking on thin ice at Tottenham Hotspur as his mistakes continue to cost the club. The goalkeeper was partially at fault for Nottingham Forest’s opening goal last weekend and he had no one to blame but himself for their second.

This comes after a big error Vicario made against Fulham, when he abandoned his net and gave away the ball, allowing the visitors to shoot into an open goal.

However, the Italian is still among the top goalkeepers in the Premier League in some instances, which includes preventing more goals than all except two shot-stoppers.

Tottenham are looking to replace Guglielmo Vicario

According to Football Insider, Vicario’s fate could be sealed, as Spurs may line up a replacement for the 29-year-old.

Despite this, Thomas Frank is not looking to sell Vicario in January. Instead, Tottenham will make the decision to axe their goalkeeper at the end of the season if his performances do not improve.

It is still likely that Vicario will start for Spurs in spite of his questionable displays, because Antonin Kinsky is only viewed as an option for domestic cup competitions.

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Vicario will never be as good as Spurs want him to be

Tottenham need a new goalkeeper because Vicario has limitations which will never be overcome. He has been at the club for two and a half years now, yet makes the same mistakes time and time again.

There is no doubt that Vicario does some things very well, hence why his stats are generally quite good. However, there will always be certain weaknesses in his game which opposing teams will look to target. Therefore, selling him in the summer is the right decision if a good replacement is identified.

Micky van de Ven has now revealed the stick he recieved from his best mate when he was about completing a move to Tottenham.

Since completing his move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Micky van de Ven has become an integral part of the squad, establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet when fit.

This season, it has been more of the same, with the defender adding a new layer to his game by contributing goals, having already found the net six times across all competitions.

He is widely viewed as a world-class talent with enormous potential and, at just 24 years old, there remains a sense that his ceiling is still some distance away.

Micky van de Ven opens up on early scepticism before Tottenham move

The Dutchman has now spoken about the reaction he received from his closest circle when he completed his move to Spurs, revealing that not everyone was convinced it was the right step.

Speaking on The Overlap, van de Ven explained how his best friend questioned the decision, raising familiar doubts about trophies and Tottenham’s history before the defender made his own stance clear.

“When I joined Tottenham, I knew that was going to come, my best friend was on my shoulder, he said, ‘are you going to join Tottenham? You are never going to win a trophy.’ I was like, cheers, mate. But at that point, I said to him, nah, I am going to change it, I am going to be part of it. That changed the philosophy of Spurs.”

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Spurs silverware backs up Micky van de Ven belief

Van de Ven ultimately stayed true to his word, playing his part in the Tottenham side that lifted silverware last season in Bilbao, Spain, a moment that helped shift long-standing narratives around the club.

The defender will now be hoping that it proves to be the first of many, as Spurs continue their rebuild while aiming to re-establish themselves among the strongest sides in England and Europe.

This season, however, Tottenham’s chances of adding further silverware have taken a hit following their exit from the Carabao Cup.

The FA Cup offers another route to silverware, but Spurs are set to face Aston Villa in their opening game of the competition, which is a tough ask given Villa’s form.

In the league, Tottenham are a long way off as they sit in 11th place, 14 points off first place Arsenal. Meanwhile in the champions league, they are still pushing for a top eight spot.

Wayne Rooney has claimed Tottenham Hotspur are superior to Arsenal in one area, but Spurs fans might actually be frustrated by the ex-England international’s comments.

Tottenham Hotspur may be the holders of the Europa League, but there has been a lot of frustration with the direction the club appears to be headed.

Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League table last season, and while the current campaign is not quite so bad, Thomas Frank’s team are a long way off their North London rivals.

Arsenal lead the way in the Premier League, having taken 36 points from 16 matches. However, Wayne Rooney believes there is one area where Tottenham have overtaken them.

Wayne Rooney claims Tottenham have a better training ground than Arsenal

Unfortunately, Rooney’s suggestion has nothing to do with performances on the pitch. He is instead referring to Hotspur Way, which is far more impressive than where Mikel Arteta’s men train.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United striker told Xavi Simons: “Yeah. It’s a nice training ground, though, isn’t it?

“Did you always think that when you came here?” The host asked.

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Rooney replied “Like yeah. This is the best. We trained here. We trained at Arsenal as well. And this was by far the best one.”

Spurs need to be more ambitious on the pitch

Daniel Levy was often criticised because he cared more about generating money from Tottenham than actually making the football team successful.

The next generation of the Lewis family have the opportunity to change this, but the club are not in a good place at the moment.

There must be a clear statement of intent in January that Spurs are looking to compete on the pitch. Having a nice training ground is all well and good, but winning trophies and challenging for league titles is what really matters.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made an offer for a 22-year-old La Liga star a few weeks ahead of the winter window.

Thomas Frank has already hinted that Tottenham Hotspur will be active in the transfer market in January, with the new head coach well aware that his squad needs reinforcing if they are to regain momentum.

Given Tottenham’s performances in recent weeks, there is a growing sense that something needs to shift on the pitch, and Spurs will be hoping their recruitment work this winter helps spark more consistent and convincing displays.

Several outlets have already pointed towards the positions Tottenham are expected to prioritise, as well as a shortlist of players who could come under serious consideration once the window opens.

Tottenham submit offer for Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios

Tottenham’s midfield is an area that could do with extra bodies, particularly given the injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Yves Bissouma’s future.

With the winter window edging closer, Fichajes are now reporting that Tottenham have submitted an offer of €70 million (£60 million) for 22-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios.

The midfielder, who is capable of operating both as a number six and an advanced eight, is currently enjoying life in the Spanish capital, having made 22 appearances in all competitions for Atleti.

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His top displays have also caught the interest of other Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and Chelsea said to be keeping tabs on the midfielder.

Barrios still has four years remaining on his current contract and carries a hefty €120 million (£103 million) release clause, although it is suggested that Atletico Madrid are unlikely to insist on that figure, meaning a deal could hinge on the club being realistic with their demands, which should bolster Tottenham chances.

Spurs fans have not been entirely convinced by Rodrigo Bentancur in the middle of the park, with many believing that the midfielder does not consistently help the side play on the front foot.

The Uruguayan is often seen recycling possession with safe, sideways passes rather than lifting his head and looking to punch line-breaking balls into Tottenham’s forward players.

Tottenham are continuing to reshape their structure behind the scenes, and another senior appointment now appears to be edging closer as the club prepares for a crucial period on and off the pitch.

Tottenham Hotspur continue to make changes at the executive level as they look to re-establish themselves among the Premier League’s elite and bring greater stability to the footballing side of the club.

Over the past year, sweeping changes at the board level have been made, with Daniel Levy departing and the Lewis family tightening their grip on operations in north London.

With the transfer window approaching, Spurs have been working to put themselves in the strongest possible position to capitalise.

Fabio Paratici returned well in advance of the January window, and Tottenham are now moving closer to securing the services of another executive who could play a key role in structuring future deals.

Tottenham look to appoint final member of executive team

According to The Athletic, City Football Group executive Carlos Raphael Moersen is in advanced talks to take up the role of director of football operations at Tottenham Hotspur.

The deal is not yet complete, but it is understood to be progressing well and could be finalised in the near future, with Moersen currently part of a structure that has overseen Manchester City’s dominance in English football over the past decade.

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That model has drawn criticism in some quarters, yet it has delivered sustained success on the pitch, making its senior figures attractive targets across the game.

Manchester United made a similar move in 2024 when they prised executive Omar Berrada away in an attempt to close the gap on their rivals, and Spurs are now looking to pull off a comparable appointment.

Should Moersen complete a move to Tottenham, he would become the latest arrival in what has been a year of significant change at the executive level in north London.

Dan Lewindon will also join the club as Director of Performance next February.

Spurs eye long-term gains from Carlos Raphael Moersen talks

Moersen is highly rated within the City Football Group, with his role including negotiating contracts with both current and prospective Manchester City players.

Tottenham could benefit from an executive of his calibre, particularly with the club’s wage structure often criticised for being among the lowest of the traditional big six in the Premier League.

As Spurs look to rebuild, attracting top-level players will hinge on striking the right balance in negotiations, and having experience in that area will be crucial across upcoming windows.

Manchester City have rebuilt their squad multiple times under Pep Guardiola, replacing key figures while maintaining standards, and with Spurs in the middle of a similar transition, Moersen could prove to be a shrewd addition.

There has been a huge update on Brennan Johnson’s future as the possibility of him leaving Tottenham in January becomes more likely.

Johnson finished last season at Tottenham’s top goalscorer with 18 goals, but the winger has struggled to get regular game time since Thomas Frank walked through the door.

Reports indicate that the Spurs winger has not convinced Frank and his coaching staff, and his future at the North London club is in major doubt.

Just a couple of days ago, it emerged that Crystal Palace are eyeing a January deal for Johnson in an effort to cover for the absence of Ismaila Sarr, who will be away at AFCON with Senegal.

Two other clubs enter race for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson

A new report in TEAMtalk has revealed that Spurs are now ‘increasingly tempted’ to cash in on the former Nottingham Forest man.

The report says that Frank wants to strengthen his attack in January, and the club are now giving serious thought to cashing in on Johnson as interest in his services continues to grow.

Interestingly, it is revealed that it is not just Palace who want to sign the pacy Tottenham winger.

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Two other unnamed Premier League clubs have joined the Eagles in the race for Johnson, making it a three-horse race for the Wales international during the January window.

What is Spurs’ asking price for Johnson?

TEAMtalk say that Tottenham’s stance on the 24-year-old will be seriously tested next month, amidst the growing interest in the player.

It is revealed that the North London club value Johnson at £50m, but according to sources close to the club, they could accept a slightly lower fee.

Spurs are open to offering a discount for the pacy winger if certain fee conditions are included in the deal, which could give the Lilywhites their initial outlet on the player back.

Tottenham Hotspur have taken their scouting of a 19-year-old winger to the next level, but a recent development means signing him has become more difficult.

Tottenham Hotspur have been disappointing in attack this season, and there is every chance the club will look to bring in a new winger when the transfer window reopens.

Rayan Vitor is one player to have been linked with a move to North London in the past month. The teenager scored 20 goals during the 2025 season for Vasco De Gama and is attracting interest from teams across Europe.

Rumours surrounding a potential Spurs move have increased after Rayan was spotted copying Mohammed Kudus’ stool celebration after he scored against Fluminense last Thursday.

Tottenham have been analysing Rayan’s performances

NT Vascainos, as relayed by Sport Witness, report that Matt Wells and club scout Alex Fraser watched footage of Rayan playing for Vasco against Fluminense.

The pair were impressed by the winger’s performance and are convinced he is one of the biggest revelations in Brazilian football in recent years. It is said that Spurs intend to place a bid when the January transfer window opens.

Tottenham will be required to spend more than £35m in order to secure Rayan, who recently signed a new contract which has boosted his release clause to £70m.

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Tottenham need a proven winger as soon as possible

Spurs need to be more inventive in order to get results in the Premier League, and a new winger would come as a welcome addition to the Tottenham first-team squad.

However, Rayan only has experience playing in the Brazilian league and on top of that, he usually plays on the right side of the attack.

Tottenham could use a left-sided winger who has already shown himself to be capable of playing at the top level. Of course, Rayan could turn out to be a good signing, but spending upwards of £35m on another young prospect would be a risky move.

Tottenham’s Manor Solomon was supposed to remain at Villarreal for the whole season, but doubts have arisen over his future in La Liga due to a new development.

Tottenham Hotspur have been short on quality left-wingers this season, yet Manor Solomon was loaned out once again over the summer, despite a strong campaign with Leeds United.

The Israeli international has made 10 appearances for Villarreal across all competitions this season, registering a goal and four assists.

However, Solomon has only made three starts for the Spanish outfit, and just one of these came in La Liga. As a result, there is now speculation over where the winger will be playing his football come the end of January.

Manor Solomon could return to Tottenham next month

El Periódico Mediterráneo, as relayed by Sport Witness, report that there is a clause in Solomon’s loan deal which allows him to end his time at Villarreal in January.

Solomon’s entourage have reportedly refused to rule out a return to Spurs next month, with his potential exit unlikely to affect Villarreal’s plans.

The 26-year-old could be sent out on loan for a third time if he heads back to North London, and West Ham are said to be interested in securing his signature.

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Spurs must make a final decision on Solomon

Nobody can quite understand what is going on with Solomon. Some believed he should be sold permanently in the summer, while others were eager to see Thomas Frank give him a chance.

However, he was instead sent on loan to a club who have failed to give him a satisfactory number of minutes on the pitch.

Tottenham must decide whether they want to give Solomon his first real opportunity at the club, or whether he is better off being sold. Sending him out on yet another loan would not be a good move for the club or the player.