Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg becomes first Spurs player to publicly respond to Antonio Conte outburst

Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has reacted to Antonio Conte's "very honest and open" post-match press conference after their 3-3 draw to Southampton on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Danish international is the first Tottenham player to publicly respond to the verbal tirade that has reportedly 'stunned' his squad, with a 'few players' wanting the Italian to be relieved of his duties as a result.

Conte's job appears to be hanging by a thread following the post-match press conference. So what did he say?

"They don’t play for something important," the Italian said. "They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress.

"It is easy this way. Tottenham’s story is this. For 20 years there is the owner, but they never won something but why?"

He added: "We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart (in)."

Now, three days after the comments were made, Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has opened up about his manager's verbal tirade.

"We've all seen it," the midfielder said. "[It was a] very honest and very open press conference he gave.

"It is because he is not satisfied. You don't do that if you've reached the quarter-final of the Champions League and if you're in the semi-final of the FA Cup. It comes from the fact that, unfortunately, we did not get the results we as a team and club wanted. We are still where we want and need to be in the Premier League.

"But yes, it's hard, I should say. I understand that if you want to be successful as a team, you need 11 men who are committed to a project and a culture. But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing."

Image credit: Alamy

Hojbjerg added: "The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I will take with me. You do what you can to please him. What I do know about myself is that I am an honest player. I am a player who always gives 100 per cent of myself for the team."

When asked if he thought Conte was right to publicly criticise the board and players, Hojbjerg replied: "Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it.

"If that's how he sees it, then you have to be a little more precise in order for you as a player to take it to heart."

Thoughts on Hojbjerg wanting Conte to "elaborate" on his press conference comments?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte, Premier League

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_