It’s not every day that a World Cup legend steps in to give advice to the family of England’s brightest young star.
But that’s exactly what happened when Sir Geoff Hurst, the only living member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, publicly criticised the actions of Mark Bellingham — the father of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham.
The 83-year-old football icon, best remembered for scoring a hat-trick in England’s historic World Cup final victory, didn’t mince words when discussing Mark’s fiery outburst during his younger son’s Bundesliga debut earlier this year.
The Heated Exchange That Sparked the Debate
Back in August, Jobe Bellingham made his first appearance for Borussia Dortmund after a £33 million transfer from Sunderland — a move that many saw as a natural step in his growing career.
However, the joy of the day reportedly turned sour when Jobe was substituted at half-time during the match against St Pauli, which ended in a disappointing 3-3 draw after Dortmund squandered a 3-1 lead.
According to reports, Mark Bellingham, who acts as a close advisor for both his sons, waited in the tunnel after the game to confront Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl.
Witnesses claimed that he was visibly emotional and voiced frustration over both Jobe’s substitution and the team’s performance.
Hurst’s No-Nonsense Warning to Bellingham Senior
Sir Geoff Hurst, speaking at an event in Bristol, said he was deeply unsettled by what he described as over-involvement from football parents.
He referenced a media headline that called Mark “the most powerful man in English football,” and took particular issue with how he allegedly complained about his son’s substitution.
“A thing that has irritated me,” Hurst explained, “is a picture in one of the papers about the most powerful man in English football — and it’s Jude Bellingham’s father.
He was complaining when his son was taken off in a game — and that is an absolute joke. If you don’t eradicate that kind of thing, that is an absolute disgrace.”
Despite his strong words, Hurst was quick to point out that he holds huge admiration for both Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, describing them as two of the finest talents England has produced in recent years.
Dortmund Tighten Their Rules After the Confrontation
The incident didn’t go unnoticed inside Dortmund’s camp.
Following the emotional tunnel exchange, the club decided to implement stricter dressing room protocols, now banning family members from accessing the player areas after matches.
German outlet BILD even reported that Mark sought a direct meeting with manager Niko Kovac, making his frustrations known in no uncertain terms.
Some players, it was said, were surprised at how emotional he appeared during the exchange.
Still, Dortmund’s managing director, Lars Ricken, later played down the situation.
He told Sky90’s The Football Debate that the discussion had been “emotional but harmless” and insisted there was no lasting issue.
“They stood in the hallway to the locker room and had an emotional conversation with Sebastian,” Ricken said.
“It was not a problem at all given the close relationship we have with the family.
But in the future, only players, coaches, and officials will have access to that area.”
A Family Under the Spotlight
The conversation around Mark Bellingham’s involvement in his sons’ careers comes at a delicate time for the family.
Reports recently surfaced that Mark and his wife, Denise, are set to end their marriage after more than two decades together.
The pair have reportedly been living separately for some years, with Mark spending more time abroad to support his sons’ football journeys.
Hurst Shares Thoughts on England’s New Boss
Beyond the Bellingham saga, Sir Geoff also weighed in on the current state of English football — specifically on the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England’s manager.
While the former West Ham legend admitted Tuchel’s credentials are impressive, he said he still prefers to see an Englishman managing the national side.
“Overall, the managers who’ve had the best results for our national side have been English, starting with Sir Alf Ramsey,” Hurst explained.
“I generally prefer a national manager who shares the same nationality as the players.
But if Tuchel performs well next summer and gets results at the World Cup, he’ll have done a fantastic job.”
A Veteran’s Perspective
At 83, Sir Geoff Hurst remains one of the most respected voices in football — a man who’s seen generations of stars come and go.
His comments may sound old-school to some, but they reflect a broader concern about how modern football families navigate fame, pressure, and influence.
And as the Bellinghams continue to dominate headlines both on and off the pitch, Hurst’s words serve as a reminder — even the most talented young players sometimes need space to grow on their own.