Antonio Conte should be 'more precise' if calling us 'selfish' says Tottenham ace

Conte did not pull any punches when asked about his team and his board of directors

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre Emile Hojbjerg asked Antonio Conte to be more "precise” in his rantings.

The Spurs manager delivered one of the most explosive press conferences in Premier League history, labelled his own players as being "selfish” and also highlighted the board of directors record of having only won the League Cup in the last 20 years, after his side drew 3-3 with Southampton. Conte has since been seen on a plane heading to Italy, amid significant uncertainty around his future at the club.

Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with an emotional return to the club, while Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has also been mentioned in the same breath - a second spell as interim manager for former midfielder Ryan Mason has also been rumoured. But while Hojbjerg admitted he was not too insulted by Conte’s staggering comments, he did ask the former Chelsea and Juventus manager to be a bit more targeted in his criticisms.

"The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I take from it,” Hojbjerg, who is now on international duty with Denmark, said about his manager’s outburst. "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% 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."

There is growing speculation Conte will not be in the dugout when Spurs travel to Everton in their first Premier League match after the break. However, in what could perhaps be a sign many of the Tottenham players have not given up on the Italian just yet, Hobjberg said he was not particularly offended by his manager’s stinging words. "I think we've all seen it [Conte's comments]," he added.

"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."