Antonio Conte is still waiting to see if he will continue on as Tottenham Hotspur’s manager after an explosive post-match interview flaming players following a 3-3 draw with Southampton on Saturday. Spurs once had a 3-1 lead in the second half on the South Coast.
Following the collapse against the last-placed Premier League team, Conte criticized his players and the club’s history. The 53-year-old coach labeled his players “selfish” and claimed that the team is “used” to losing.
Højbjerg asks coach to elaborate and be more precise
Midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg became one of the first Spurs players to publicly field questions about the incident. “I think we’ve all seen it [Conte’s comments],” Højbjerg said on Tuesday while on international duty with Denmark.
“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 quarterfinal of the Champions League and if you’re in the semifinal of the FA Cup. But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing,” the midfielder also admitted.
“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.”
Emerson describes ‘explosive’ Conte towards Tottenham players
Højbjerg wasn’t the only Spurs player to be asked about his club manager while on international duty. Brazil’s Emerson Royal also commented on the situation. “As for Conte, I have a good relationship with him. He is not a coach that we have a very close relationship, with of talking a lot. It is his way,” Emerson told Brazilian outlet Globo.
“He is a coach who wants to help everyone. He shows the role he wants within the game of each one. I don’t see any problem. I have a good relationship with him. Conte is a coach who has this explosive side of him, a personality he created, but he is a coach who tries to help us as much as possible.”
It is thought that Spurs will make the move to fire Conte at some point this week. Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi and Oliver Glasner are all reportedly in the mix to possibly replace Conte. However, current assistant Ryan Mason could also hold the reins until the end of the season. Spurs don’t play again until April 3rd.
PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images
