Jobe Bellingham’s father reportedly attempted to confront Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac after the teenager was hauled off at half time during the club’s chaotic Bundesliga opener.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined Dortmund this summer in a £32million move from Sunderland, started Saturday’s clash away at St Pauli but was withdrawn at the interval by Kovac after an ineffective first half.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Jobe’s parents – Mark and Denise – were left unimpressed by the decision and waited in the tunnel after the 3-3 draw, where Mark, who also acts as his son’s advisor, held an emotional discussion with Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl. The report claims Bellingham senior voiced his frustration over both the substitution and the team’s overall performance.
BILD added that Mark Bellingham sought a meeting with Kovac directly – and ‘made no secret of his opinion.’ Some Dortmund players are also said to have noticed how emotional he was, with his anger reportedly fuelled by both Jobe’s early substitution and the disappointing display.
Dortmund had looked in control with a 3-1 lead, only to concede twice in the final four minutes and leave Hamburg with a single point. Kovac admitted afterwards: ‘When you lead 3-1, then you cannot play a 3-3 even against this very good St Pauli team.’
Kehl later issued a reminder that the dressing-room area is strictly reserved for players and staff. He said: ‘We are all disappointed about the result yesterday. And still, the active area at our club remains reserved for players, coaches and officials, not families and advisors. This will not happen again. We have made this clear to all involved.’
Jobe Bellingham had a Bundesliga debut to forget as he was substituted off at half-time
Mark Bellingham reportedly tried to confront the Dortmund manager over his son’s subbing
It is said Mark sought a meeting with Niko Kovac (pictured) and ‘made no secret of his opinion’
Jobe, who wears the No 7 shirt, has already featured at the FIFA Club World Cup since completing his big-money switch and came off the bench in Dortmund’s German Cup win over Rot-Weiss Essen earlier this month. But Saturday marked his Bundesliga debut – one cut short after just 45 minutes.
The midfielder joined Dortmund in June after helping Sunderland win promotion from the Championship, signing a five-year deal. His transfer fee, worth an initial £27.8m plus add-ons, set a new record for the Wearside club.
Despite the family connection, Jobe insisted at the time he had not crossed to Germany simply to follow in his elder brother Jude’s footsteps. Real Madrid star Jude previously spent three years at Dortmund before completing his blockbuster switch to Spain in 2023.
Saturday’s clash in Hamburg was only Jobe’s sixth competitive outing for Dortmund.
