Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says manager Antonio Conte should explain himself to the squad more clearly after a remarkable outburst slamming his players.
The manager is expected to be sacked this week after launching a stunning tirade at his players, questioning their desire and motivation following a 3-3 draw at bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
Hojbjerg sympathises with Conte's frustrations following disappointing recent exits in both the Champions League and FA Cup, but suggests a more open dialogue between players and the manager would be beneficial.
"We’ve all seen it," he told reporters in Denmark. "[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.
"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."
Asked if Conte was right in his actions, Hojbjerg replied: "Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it."
He added: "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 also confirmed that Conte gave his players no warning ahead of his outburst, adding: "He didn’t tell us what he wanted to say at the press conference.
"But it is clear that you work with each other every day, you want the best for each other and you want to be successful together. And sometimes the waves go high in football."
