Some Spurs fans on social media are bewildered as to why the Tottenham players did not stand up to greet Antonio Conte when they met him for the first time.
In the two weeks that he has spent at the helm so far, Conte has reportedly already gone about making some drastic changes behind the scenes.
The Italian is thought to have altered the players’ diets and put them through a gruelling training regime in order to improve the squad’s fitness.
It has been asserted that the mood among the players and the coaching staff is very positive following the 52-year-old’s arrival.
If the players were excited to be working with a manager of Conte’s stature, they certainly did not seem to show it when they met him for the first time.
Tottenham released a video this week of Conte greeting the squad in the canteen at Hotspur Way following his arrival and some Spurs fans picked up on the fact that only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stood up while shaking the new Tottenham boss’ hand.
Why don’t they stand up to greet their new boss? I don’t get why they don’t?
— JaiP (@JaiP72) November 15, 2021
The players should be standing up when shaking Conte’s hand. It’s something I’ve always had drilled into me when I was a kid. Only one player stood up to shake his hand
— Ghulam Afzal 🇮🇹 🇵🇰 (@LillysPunisher) November 14, 2021
Hate how no one stood up except of hojbjerg
— Satvik (@SatvikTHFC) November 14, 2021
No respect from the players apart from Pierre, hope he knocks them down a peg or two. They think they are better than they are
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) November 14, 2021
Hojbjerg the only one with the decency to stand up lol
— Rohit Karna (@DeleTubbies20) November 14, 2021
Is Højbjerg the only player who stood up to greet Antonio? I’d have thought all players would have shown much more respect by standing up to shake his hand. I wonder if that first impression he has will shape his view?
— Craig Pankhurst (@Craig_Pankhurst) November 15, 2021
Agreed, I’m old school, but modern times I guess! There time will come when they slow down, the adulation has dried, and the money is wanting!!
— Colin Bennett (@ogreat1) November 15, 2021
Hojberg the gent he is..
Stood up.
— spurslass63 (@BridgetFord18) November 14, 2021
No respect. You stand when one of the football gods is in front of you.
— @W1ngman86 (@W1ngman86) November 15, 2021
Always stand up when you shake the hand
— theworldofspurs🇮🇹 (@Mikeythfc) November 14, 2021
Spurs Web Opinion
When I watched the video, I too was struck by the fact that the players did not stand. However, we do not know the context behind the video. Conte might have already met with the squad as a group beforehand. He might have also asked the players to remain seated since they were in the middle of their meal.