Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reacts to Antonio Conte's criticism

Midfielder and Denmark international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the first Tottenham Hotspur player to publicly react to the criticism from manager Antonio Conte this past weekend. 

"He gave a very honest and very open press conference," Hojbjerg explained, per BBC Sport. "It is because he is not satisfied. You don't do that if you've reached the quarterfinal of the (UEFA) Champions League and if you're in the semifinal 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."

As noted by ESPN, Conte generated headlines when he blasted unnamed "selfish" players along with Tottenham's overall culture after the fourth-place club blew a 3-1 lead and had to settle for a 3-3 draw against last-place Southampton on Saturday. Multiple outlets have since reported that Tottenham will part ways with Conte during the ongoing international break, possibly as soon as this week. 

Tottenham next play an English Premier League match at Everton on April 3. 

Earlier this month, James Maw of The Athletic mentioned that Tottenham last won a major trophy 15 years ago and won't end that drought this spring. Tottenham were bounced from the Carabao Cup by Nottingham Forest during the fall and were knocked out of both the FA Cup and Champions League competitions this month. Rivals Arsenal, atop the Premier League table, hold a 20-point advantage over Tottenham. 

"The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I take from it," Hojbjerg added. "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."

Conte reportedly returned to Italy, where his wife and their daughter continue to live, following Saturday's result. If he doesn't fly back to North London, first-team coach Ryan Mason likely would be appointed in charge on a temporary basis. Mason ended the 2020-21 season as Tottenham's interim boss after Jose Mourinho was sacked in spring 2021.