Tottenham players have been left upset by Antonio Conte’s attack on them on Saturday after they drew 3-3 against Southampton.
Spurs had a comfortable 3-1 lead at one point but the Saints gave a remarkable fight to take away a point from the game which will be crucial in their fight to avoid relegation.
Conte was left furious after the match and shook the club with his 10 minute long rant in the press conference where he accused his players of being selfish and questioned their commitment to the team. He said:
“The problem is we have shown we are not a team.”
“We are 11 players. I see selfish players. I see players that don’t want to help each other, don’t play with heart.”
“It is the same every season, no matter who the manager is.”
“They’re used to it here. Don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress.”
His outburst was not taken well by the players who were left “upset” that the manager questioned their commitment.
And now Danish international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has become the first Tottenham player to come out and publicly respond to Conte’s criticism.
Speaking to the press ahead of Denmark’s match against Finland, the midfielder said that Conte needs to be more specific in his remarks.
When asked to comment on the Italian’s explosive press conference, he said (quotes reported by Danish publication Tipsbladet):
“He gave a very honest and very open press conference. 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 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.”
“The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I take from it.”
“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.
“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.”
Hojbjerg has played it safe with his comments but he has asked for more elaboration on the comments made by his manager.
However, if reports are to be believed, Antonio Conte will not be around to give his players that clarification as all latest reports suggest that the Italian will be let go by the club and Ryan Mason will be taking charge as interim manager.
