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• Hojbjerg tells Conte to 'elaborate' on outburst that has left him on brink of Spurs sack

  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg told Antonio Conte to "elaborate" on the remarkable outburst that has left him on the brink of being sacked as Tottenham manager.

  The fiery Italian boss said he saw "selfish players" who "do not want to play under pressure" after his side were pegged back in a 3-3 Premier League draw by Southampton on Saturday.

  Conte also seemingly took aim at the club's hierarchy when he said: "20 years there is the owner and they never won something. Why?"

  Spurs are now expected to wield the axe during the international break. Hojbjerg said he can understand Conte's frustration given disappointing exits in the FA Cup and Champions League to Sheffield United and Milan respectively but thinks there should be a clearer message to help the team get to where they want to be.

  "We've all seen it," Hojbjerg told reporters while on Denmark duty. 

  "[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."

  When asked if he felt Conte was right to take the course of action he did, Hojbjerg replied: "Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it.

  "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."

  He did confirm, though, that Conte did not give his players prior warning of the tirade that was to come.

  "He didn't tell us what he wanted to say at the press conference," he said.

  "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."

  Spurs are fourth in the table but each of Newcastle United, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion own games in hand in a congested fight for Champions League football.

  They return to action at home to Everton on April 3.

• Former Arsenal and Man City striker Adebayor announces retirement aged 39

  Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has announced his retirement at the age of 39.

  The ex-Togo international also had spells with Real Madrid, Tottenham and Crystal Palace during a professional career that started in 2001 with Metz.

  Adebayor departed Metz for Monaco in 2003 and it was there where he caught the eye of legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who brought him to the Premier League in January 2006.

  City forked out a reported £25million fee for his services in July 2009 and he famously sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate a goal in front of the Gunners' supporters in September that year.

  He joined Real Madrid for a short loan spell in January 2011 after falling out of favour under Roberto Mancini and then moved to Tottenham – initially on loan – in August that year.

  After having his contract terminated by mutual consent in September 2015, Adebayor had a nomadic end to his career, featuring for Palace, Istanbul Basaksehir, Kayserispor and Olimpia before returning to Togo with Semassi in July 2021.

  Announcing his retirement with a video on Instagram, Adebayor wrote: "SEA, from the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey. 

  "Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way. I'm feeling so grateful for everything, and excited for what's to come!"

• Rumour Has It: Tottenham line up surprise move for Frankfurt boss Glasner

  Tottenham and Antonio Conte appears set to part ways imminently following the Italian's explosive rant after their 3-3 draw with Southampton on Saturday.

  Conte's Spurs contract is due to expire at the end of this season and he has been linked with a return to Italy to be closer to his family.

  Spurs have been eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup but remain firmly in the race to finish in the Premier League's top four, currently sitting fourth but fifth-placed Newcastle United are two points behind with two games in hand.

  TOP STORY – SPURS TURN TO EINTRACHT BOSS IN SHOCK MOVE

  Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is looking to Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte, according to Bild.

  The report claims Spurs have already made contact with the Austrian's representatives about the surprise move.

  Glasner is yet to sign an extension on his deal from Frankfurt which expires in 2024. Tottenham have Glasner in their sights, having led the Germans to the Europa League title last season.

   

  ROUND-UP

  – Manchester United and Newcastle United will battle it out to land the signature of Roma forward Paulo Dybala, reports Calciomercatoweb. The Argentinian is set to be available for a bargain price, given he has a release clause for overseas clubs to sign him for just £10.6million (€12m).

  – Relevo claims Chelsea are working behind the scenes to make Joao Felix's loan stay at Stamford Bridge permanent beyond this season. The Portuguese joined the Blues in January on a six-month loan from Atletico Madrid, for whom he penned an extension until 2027 on the eve of that move.

  – The Times claims Tottenham will demand £100m upfront for captain and star striker Harry Kane, who is out of contract in 2024. Manchester United have been linked with Kane, while Bayern Munich previously showed an interest, although that has reportedly waned.

  – Juventus' pursuit of Chelsea's midfielder N'Golo Kante has been dealt a blow, with the Frenchman unlikely to leave Stamford Bridge, reports Tuttomercatoweb.

  – Football Transfers claims Arsenal will look to tie down Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard on a long-term deal until 2030. His deal expires in 2025.

  – Arsenal are interested in Salzburg's 22-year-old forward Noah Okafor, claims The Daily Mail. Tottenham and Milan are also keen on the Swiss talent.