Mile Jedinak has revealed that he works with a lot of Tottenham players on a one-to-one basis and has discussed why he does not sit with the rest of the coaching staff on the bench during match days.
Jedinak followed Ange Postecoglou to Spurs this summer, with the Australian joining as a part of the coaching setup that also includes Chris Davies, Ryan Mason, Matt Wells and Rob Burch.
The former Crystal Palace midfielder and Postecoglou go back a long time as he served as the Socceroos captain when the 58-year-old was in charge of the Aussie national team.
Jedinak told Optus Sport about his role at Tottenham: “It’s been nice to embrace the football club but get on with what needs to happen which is get this football club to where it needs to be on the pitch.
“My primary role day-to-day with our coaching department we’re all doing bits on the pitch every day, that’s what we’re encouraged to do. You always feel involved and active.
“Part of the responsibility is working with individuals and units with an emphasis on set-plays, and defensively as well, is something I have responsibility for which I’m enjoying also.
“I think the environment that we as coaches, and the demands we get put under, how are we going to continue to improve ourselves, but the group as well. For me, that’s healthy. You never want to stand still, it’s about that next step and what we can do to improve.
“That doesn’t mean you do it at lightning speed, it might be a small thing every day and challenging the group to respond in a positive way that gets the best out of them. I live it and breathe it every single day now. It’s challenging, but you get used to it and you continue to keep pushing.”
Fans would have noticed that the 39-year-old does not take a seat in the dugout during the matches, instead analysing the game from a vantage point in the stands.
He explained that he relays some messages at half-time to Postecoglou and his coaching staff about what can be tweaked.
When asked why he does not sit on the bench along with his fellow coaches, Jedinak joked: “Partly because there’s no room on the bench!
“I’m up there with the analysts – particularly looking for solutions and having conversations with the other coaches. It’s a collective thing: how can we then affect it at half-time?
“There are moments where we have stuff for the team, but also about extra bits for individuals and making the time as productive as it can possibly be.”
Jedinak also puts the players through their pre-match warm-up during match days and the former midfielder, who hung up his boots back in 2020, admitted that he has had to keep himself in prime condition to be able to keep up with the players.
He added: “I’m a bit more active on the pitch now. I try and make sure I’m loose for that day particularly. You’re preparing someone for a game and you don’t want them chasing all your loose touches.
“I had to join in (training) today to be fair, just part of one of the sessions as a bounce player. Very sporadically, we tend to do it with all the players and get as many of the young boys involved to join in.
“Where you are more involved is if you’re doing unit work and in smaller groups, you tend to be a bit more active. In the bigger groups, you have players to cover it’s fine. They always know I’m ready if needed!”
Spurs Web Opinion
It is clear that all members of the coaching staff have been assigned very specific roles, with Jedinak seemingly the man who has been tasked with working with players individually on certain aspects, including perhaps their mental preparation.
That would require the 39-year-old to build a close rapport with the players and the vast experience he has in the Premier League would help him put himself in their shoes.
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