Thomas Frank ‘faces Tottenham mutiny’ after what Van de Ven said
Thomas Frank is widely expected to take over as the next Tottenham manager.
Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham last week despite winning Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League title.
The 59-year-old led the Lilywhites to a 17th-place finish in the Premier League with 22 defeats, which ultimately proved too many to salvage his job.
It will be a tough task to replace the Australian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it may have been made even harder after a new revelation from a senior player.
Van de Ven makes Postecoglou admission at Tottenham
Postecoglou’s sacking was viewed as a harsh decision after he guided the North London club to a rare success.
Micky van de Ven is the latest Spurs star to speak about the sacking and it seems like he did not support the conclusion that was reached by Daniel Levy and Co.
Speaking to Voetbalzone (10 June), he said: “I think many of the players got along with him well and of course he is the first coach who has brought success to Spurs in a long time.
“That also shows that he has a certain quality and a winning mentality, 100 per cent.
“From that, you would of course say that it is strange that he was fired.”
Frank could lose the dressing room at Tottenham
It is a risk to step into a successful dressing room after a manager has departed at the best of times, but the injury crisis that has engulfed Spurs this season had brought the team together even more.
Pedro Porro sent an emotional message to Postecoglou after the decision was made, admitting that he wanted the under-pressure manager to stay.
Son Heung-min also responded to the sacking with a heartfelt goodbye message, thanking his former boss for believing in the team and handing him the captaincy.
Van de Ven seems to echo the sentiment of the rest of the squad and Frank needs to form a positive impression once he walks through the door at Hotspur Way, otherwise he may find himself with a mutiny on his hands.
If the results do not go his way in the first few weeks, it may be a very tough start to life in N17, given how emotional the players are after the former Celtic man departed and he could struggle to win them over.
Alternatively, he may give them a boost with new tactics and fresh ideas but it remains to be seen what impact his appointment will have.