‘Role model’ Hojbjerg lives up to Mourinho manager claim

Matt Stead

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been praised as “a top professional” after taking part in a Q&A session with Tottenham U18s.

Hojbjerg offered what the official Tottenham website described as ‘a fascinating insight’ into his career, which Head of Player Development Ryan Mason was extremely “grateful” for.

“Pierre is a very, very intelligent man,” he said. “He’s made a massive impression on me and I’m sure all the players as well, because the way he spoke, the passion and the obsession he has for football, it’s admirable, and we’re very lucky that he’s representing our football club.

“He’s said that the door is always open for our young players to go and speak to him and ask for advice or help – I know that’s the case throughout the first team squad as well – so we’ve got some very good role models at our football club.

“Pierre is a top professional and a top player and we’re extremely lucky to have been able to hear from him today.”

Romaine Mundle, a Tottenham youth player who attended the session, added: “One of the main things I took away from speaking to Pierre was the difference between players who make it and almost make it, and the mental side of the game which pushes you on as much as your talent.

“What made him stand out even more was some of the stories from earlier in his career when he overcame testing circumstances, and the need to be on your game every single day.”

It comes after Jose Mourinho suggested his “genius” midfielder “is going to be a coach one day”.

“He’s a pain, asking questions about why we do this and why we do that,” the manager added after his fine performance in the north London derby win over Arsenal.

“On the pitch, he reads the situation very, very well and the people that surround him are really compact, they read the game.”