Micky van de Ven says Postecoglou said something that made him really happy

Micky van de Ven could hardly contain his delight after helping Tottenham Hotspur secure a historic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.

Holding the trophy aloft, the 24-year-old Dutch defender reflected on an emotional season that ended in triumph, crediting manager Ange Postecoglou for instilling belief and continuing a personal streak of winning silverware in his second season at a club.

Earlier in the campaign, Postecoglou had confidently stated that he always wins something in his second year with a team. His claim was initially met with skepticism and even mockery from critics and rival supporters, especially during a turbulent period in which Spurs struggled with injuries and inconsistent Premier League form.

However, that bold statement has now become a badge of honor, as Postecoglou joined an elite group of Tottenham managers by delivering a European trophy—something only two others had previously achieved.

Van de Ven took great satisfaction in proving the doubters wrong. He admitted the domestic campaign had been far from perfect, calling it poor by the squad’s standards, but emphasized how proud he felt about their European journey.

According to him, Postecoglou’s unwavering confidence rubbed off on the team. The players, inspired by his words and leadership, pulled together to make his claim a reality.

Van de Ven said the squad felt a responsibility to uphold that record, and now they can celebrate knowing they helped continue the manager’s impressive trend.

On the pitch, Van de Ven was instrumental in Tottenham’s win, especially during a dramatic late moment when he cleared Rasmus Højlund’s goal-bound header off the line with an acrobatic effort that left him in pain.

He later explained that although the clearance hurt, it was worth every ache to preserve the clean sheet. He described the urgency of the moment and how instinct drove him to protect the goal. Despite suffering some back issues afterward, his only concern was helping the team secure the win.

Ending Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a trophy meant more than just lifting silverware—it was a statement. Van de Ven expressed how emotional it felt to achieve something historic with a group of players who had been written off during the season.

He credited Postecoglou and his staff for keeping the team united and believing in the process. Every time they stepped onto the European stage, the squad showed their true potential, often playing with a clarity and determination that had eluded them in domestic fixtures.

Looking ahead, Van de Ven acknowledged that while everyone at the club is focused on enjoying this moment, there’s a desire to build on the success.

With Champions League football secured for next season and a UEFA Super Cup clash awaiting them in August, Spurs now have an opportunity to take another leap forward.

He admitted that although thoughts of the future would come later, the players are driven to achieve even more and bring continued success to the club.

Tottenham’s tactical approach in the final was notably pragmatic. Missing key creative players such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Lucas Bergvall, Postecoglou deployed a solid 4-3-3 setup designed to absorb pressure and capitalize on limited opportunities.

Van de Ven noted that while they had a plan going into the match, the nature of knockout football meant being ready to adapt. The game played out evenly in the first half, with both sides creating chances, but Tottenham struck first and defended with discipline to see out the win.

He specifically praised the defense’s ability to hold strong, referencing crucial moments where they resisted United’s pressure, especially late in the game.

Van de Ven also addressed the criticism he received online when he first joined Tottenham, particularly from fans who mocked the decision, suggesting he’d never win silverware with the club. He said those voices no longer matter.

The Europa League victory has silenced the noise and validated his decision to join Spurs. He made it clear that the opinions of outsiders hold no weight when compared to the pride of delivering success to the fans and making club history.

Now, Tottenham supporters can finally celebrate tangible success. For Van de Ven and his teammates, it marks not just a conclusion to a challenging season, but the beginning of a new era—one full of promise, belief, and the taste of victory that they’ll now be hungry to experience again.