Dejan Kulusevski admits what Ange Postecoglou told him the first time they met

Dejan Kulusevski has explained what "unbelievable" Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou told him the first time the pair met and why the Australian is so different to his previous managers.

The 23-year-old has been a big player for Postecoglou, switching between the right wing and a deeper midfield role, and the Swede is loving life in the club's new era as he feels like he's learning something new every day. Kulusevski's loan move from Juventus was made permanent later than he expected but the new Spurs boss left him in no doubt that he wanted him in his squad.

"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," he said in an interview in Spurs' recent matchday programme. "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."

Last season Kulusevski, along with the team around him, struggled to recapture their form of the previous campaign and the club failed to qualify for European competition for the first time in 14 years. The young attacker made it his mission to come back ready to turn things around.

"I wasn't happy with last season and the way it finished so I wanted to come back much stronger this season," said the Sweden international. "I did a lot of work every day, a lot of hard work, and now I feel like the best version of myself and coming back into my real form. I'm just happy because it took many months to get to this point - it didn't happen overnight - but I've worked so hard to get to this level.

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"I feel completely free, not only in the new position but in my mind just playing football without overthinking because it's the best way to play football when you're not thinking about mistakes or anything else. Now I feel very good so I'm ready to keep playing like this for the rest of the season and I'm determined to help the team even more."

Postecoglou's team talks have drawn praise from players throughout his career and Kulusevski says he's the best coach he's had in that respect.

"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," he said. "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. I love this mentality because that’s how I want to live my life.

"It doesn't matter who you're playing against or what you're doing in life, just go, and if it messes up, it messes up. You did it with your heart. You're not afraid. You're trying to win the game, not trying to lose the game. I love the game plan.

“I really, really like him a lot. His tactics, his mentality, that’s the guy you want to work with. 'No fear, just go!' So I'm really happy to work with him every day, every training session, every game."

The Tottenham players got to witness the side of Postecoglou they will not want to see again as the Australian raged at them at half-time during the match at Manchester City having felt they were playing within themselves. Everything changed from that point on and Spurs came away with a point and a 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

"It was an unbelievable second half, the coach was angry and we came out like a new team after half-time," he said. "It was the first time I've seen him like that but he did the right thing. He's right because the only thing we need to do is just grow stronger mentally, we can play against the best and if we do that we will be in a good place at the end of the season."