Dejan Kulusevski has said that he loves playing for Ange Postecoglou, admitting that he is learning new things every day from the Australian and his coaching staff.
From the outside looking, the Tottenham camp certainly appears a lot happier this season than it was at times under Antonio Conte.
It has been widely reported over the last couple of months that Postecoglou and his coaching staff have made the training drills more enjoyable by focusing mainly on ball work and varying the drills quite regularly (The Athletic).
Kulusevski admitted that the players are now coming to Hotspur Way in a happy mood and insisted that he has never worked with a manager like Postecoglou.
Kulusevski is having so much fun under Postecoglou
The Swede told Tottenham’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “It’s so fun. Everybody comes in with a smile on their face because they know they’re going to learn new things and we’re going to work with the ball to play football. So that’s been amazing.
“In our first conversation, it was clear we shared the same vision of football. He said he liked me as a player and he thought he could improve me a lot so from the first day it gave me confidence that he wants to use me.
“After that, I listened to his tactics in every game to gain a good understanding of what he wants from me and I’m learning new things every day about the formation. I’ve had a lot of great coaches but he’s a little bit different in every way and it’s the first time in my life that I’ve had a coach like him. He’s an unbelievable guy.”
The one area where Postecoglou is perhaps a cut above many of his peers is in his communication skills, with the likes of James Maddison admitting that the players find it difficult to take their eyes off the 58-year-old when he is addressing the squad (Amazon Prime Video).
Kulusevski has agreed with his teammate, revealing that he looks forward to Postecoglou’s speeches.
The winger said: “His team talks have been very good. I like people that speak and are motivational but he’s on the top level. He’s number one in terms of telling stories and getting us motivated for the games.
“We learn a lot about life and as players we share a similar outlook on how it should be lived and that you should respect everybody. Every time he speaks, it’s fun to sit and enjoy whatever he’s going to say. He’s the sort of coach who makes you want to work hard and it’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It is obvious that most players would rather play with the ball rather than work on the defensive shape as having the ball at their feet is what they fell in love with as kids.
That is why the likes of Conte and Mourinho seem to have a shelf life at clubs, with the players eventually getting tired of their approaches by the second or third season.