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Jude Bellingham has hit back at Thomas Tuchel's criticism of England's "sloppy" performance during its match against Norway, suggesting the England manager "doesn’t know what it takes". Presented with Tuchel's criticism, Bellingham - who paved England's way to the semi-finals after scoring twice, including a stunning extra-time goal - rolled his eyes and said: "Whatever". Ali Miraj and LBC callers react to the 'rift'. 00:00 | Ali Miraj reacts to Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel’s fiery post-match interviews 04:10 | Erling Haaland has nothing but high praises for Bellingham following England’s victory over Norway in the World Cup quarter finals. 04:33 | ‘Don't undermine your boss in public’, warns Miraj 13:32 | Caller James disagrees with Ali, and gets into a tense debate with caller Barry. 19:11 | Harry Kane should take Jude Bellingham under his wing to show an example, says caller Sarah 21:12 | Joyce says ‘we need to be lifting Jude up at this time’ if we want a good outcome in the next match 23:49 | ‘I don't think the manager should be allowed to just say whatever he wants just because he's the manager’, says caller Bex Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp #alimiraj #football #worldcup #worldcup2026 #judebellingham #thomastuchel #sports #news #debate #america #LBC LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK. Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup
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0:00
Well, indeed, Hey Jude, England fans singing Hey Jude in unison in Miami last night
0:08
What a night it was. Gosh, we got through it, which is fantastic news, of course
0:14
Jude Bellingham, the star of the show. He delivered. He's a talent
0:19
He's one of the best players in the world. We're fully aware of it. In the Times today, the Sunday Times, Martin Samuel, Jude Bellingham bears comparison to Charlton
0:29
There's no one like him. In their number 10, England have a match-defining star
0:34
a player that would get into any other national team in the World Cup. He can be measured against the nation's greats, Sir Samuel
0:41
And he goes on and says this, and now it can be said, Jude Bellingham is delivering the greatest individual performance
0:47
by an England player at a World Cup, arguably since Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966
0:54
Paul Gascoigne in 1990 was the modern benchmark, yet Bellingham here has outstripped that
1:01
We thought Gascoigne might be the greatest footballer in the world departing Italy 36 years ago
1:07
Who knows what will be said about Bellingham by the end of next weekend
1:12
That is his level now. The names against which he must be measured
1:16
the greats, the legends, the very best of England, at the heart, at the end of the match
1:21
as the Beatles song that bears his name was sung by the whole stadium and his admiring joyful teammates
1:26
he stood looking at the crowd in front of him modesty forbade him from joining in with his own serenade
1:31
his eyes were searching, searching he seemed so serious amid the jubilation
1:35
suddenly he spotted the faces he was looking for he broke into a huge grin and punched the air
1:40
just for them, several times to think that this was the player perceived as
1:44
what a bad influence to think that he was carelessly smeared as not a team player
1:49
in fact, he is the team player the one who can play anywhere for the team
1:53
the encapsulation of athlete match winner and inspiration. England have played six matches
1:58
and he's been man of the match in five of them. There has never been a performance quite like this
2:03
for England at this level and in these conditions. Bellingham simply could not give any more
2:10
He's just turned 23, by the way. Who knows where this goes now
2:18
Right after the match, however, Thomas Tuchel, remember him? Yeah, he's the England manager
2:22
He didn't mince his words about his team's performance. We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today
2:29
The result is fantastic. We're in the last four. It's amazing, but I'm not happy with the performance
2:35
In what sense? In every sense. It was, again, the commitment is there
2:40
but we made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played
2:45
Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough, not repetitive enough
2:52
We were lucky today. Yeah, we were lucky. I think Tuchel's right
2:56
If you're being honest about it, yes, we're all absolutely over the moon that England got through
3:01
unless you're Scottish, perhaps. But there we are. We are delighted. Of course we are
3:06
And you've got to find a way to win, even if your performance is not up to scratch
3:11
But is it wrong for the manager to say that he thought that we basically were sloppy
3:15
and could have done better? Not really. But then Jude Bellingham had his turn
3:20
in front of the microphone, and he was asked about what his boss had just said
3:24
The manager's actually not very happy He said he was disappointed with the performance
3:28
There could have been more In many different ways Oh well, whatever
3:32
I think he obviously believes There could be more from the team
3:37
It's difficult out there, it's difficult It's a tough shift, all the players are putting a very tough shift
3:42
So my thoughts and appreciation Goes to the players who are out there Who are putting a great shift yet again
3:47
And in another interview with the world media he said this Tuchel said after the game in interviews
3:52
That you were a tad lucky also to beat Norway today. What do you think about the statement from the boss
3:57
No comment. Oh, okay. No comment. No comment from Jude Bellingham there
4:03
But his fellow global superstar, Erling Haaland of Norway, was extremely magnanimous in defeat
4:08
and had nothing but praise for Jude. And he's such a good guy
4:11
I've said it so many times. We had so much fun together. So sometimes I think he gets a bit too much of a critic
4:21
He don't really deserve it because I think he's one of the best in the world. It's just praise for Jude
4:25
I think he's unbelievable. And England is lucky. Madrid is lucky because everybody would want a Jude in the team
4:33
Indeed, everyone might want a Jude in the team. I'm sure everyone does want a Jude in the team
4:38
But I tell you this. I wasn't impressed by the way that Jude Bellingham
4:43
dealt with his media performances after the match. Yes, he took England, you could say
4:49
some could say, almost single-handedly, by the scruff of the neck to the semi-final against Argentina
4:55
which will be played on Wednesday. And this is not a comment, this is not a discussion about the quality of the performance
5:01
and whether we should have played a different formation and how we played. That's not the debate
5:06
The question I want to ask you is this. Is Jude Bellingham's dismissive attitude to his boss
5:11
setting a bad example? Is Jude Bellingham's dismissive attitude towards his boss
5:17
setting a bad example? 0345 6060 973 text 84850 why do I say this
5:26
well I say this because on the one hand you have Gareth Southgate
5:29
making programs about young men and how they've been failed and what we need to do to try and support them
5:37
he made a documentary not so long ago about that he also gave the Richard Dimbleby lecture last year
5:45
outlining some of the challenges that young men face and in this documentary that he made
5:49
changing the game for young men and in his lecture as well that he gave he talked about mentors he
5:56
talked about role models southgate right the importance of having male role models not
6:02
necessarily your father or your uncle or your brother or whatever it may be but male role
6:07
models now a lot of people in the country are going to be looking to jude bellingham whether
6:13
he wanted that responsibility or not as a role model now he might just say look i'm 23 years old
6:19
i do my best i'm playing in the miami heat it was really really tough out there and he's saying
6:25
he actually said he said it's a tough shift all the players put in a very tough shift my thoughts
6:31
and appreciations go to the players and he said this about tuchel he said maybe he doesn't know
6:37
what it's like to play in these types of conditions against Erling Haaland, Mark Odegaard
6:43
Antonio Nusa, Alexander Solov, you know. Right, so basically you've got Jude Bellingham here
6:50
who is someone that has got a lot of profile, understandably, because he's one of the best players
6:55
in the world, arguably England's best player right now, potentially with Harry Kane, they're both match winners
7:02
and he plays for Real Madrid, arguably again, and this is not to set up a controversy
7:07
about who's the best club in the world, but Real Madrid is one of the best clubs in the world
7:11
Certainly pays the most, most probably, right? Barcelona Real Madrid these are the pinnacle of success So effectively Jude Bellingham at the age of 23 is a Galactico That what he is Now I want to ask you this
7:24
If Jude Bellingham, right, on the back of a performance, which his boss, which is what he's paid to do, by the way
7:31
his boss is paid to do what he does and to come out with the arguments that he thinks are valid
7:38
when it comes to his team. He's paid there to be honest, right
7:42
he's saying this he's saying this um Tuchel he said no one disputes that uh the team played well
7:51
the the the team fought hard rather I'm impressed with the shift they put in uh he said after they
7:57
were referring to the fact that they played in the heat he said this and I quote the effort
8:01
team spirit the belief and to overcome adversity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the
8:07
absolutely highest level they cannot get enough praise for that and he went on to say this Tuchel
8:12
but I'm also a football coach and I think we can play better
8:16
In general, I think it was not a high-level game. I think we had better games in general
8:22
He continued, we had a lot of momentum, swings for both teams. This is most important, but ysing ahead of me
8:29
and the football coach in me still thinks that we can and have to play better football
8:35
Right, so that's Tuchel. He's paid to win, right? He's paid to win. He's not paid to make up the numbers
8:40
He's there to deliver results. Tuchel, who's the England manager, thinks they could have played better
8:46
that they were sloppy than they were lucky. And Jude Bellingham, when asked that question about the fact
8:53
that the manager's not satisfied with the performance, says, whatever, whatever, it's tough out there, right
9:00
Now, I just think to myself, when I heard this, this is really off
9:07
I mean, is this the argument that you're going to make to someone who you apprehend who's not paying their tube fares, who just slams through the
9:14
barrier without paying and you say, why didn't you pay your tube fare? Oh, whatever, whatever
9:19
It's tough out there, don't you know? Someone who nicks a Mars bar in Sainsbury's and you go
9:24
put that Mars bar back. Whatever, whatever. It's tough out there. The teacher who says to the child
9:29
in school, why didn't you do your homework? Whatever, whatever, miss. It's tough out there
9:34
you know, to the parent who says to their young, errant teenager, go and put out the rubbish for
9:41
the binman tomorrow. Oh, whatever, whatever. It's tough out there. You know, I've had a tough day
9:47
I mean, the reality is that this attitude from Jude Bellingham is something that I don't
9:53
appreciate. Now, I may make myself the most unpopular man in Britain today for saying this
9:59
and that's absolutely fine, because maybe I desire to win at all costs and go back to 66
10:04
is so great, is so great, is so great that we park and we suspend our views on bad behaviour
10:11
Or maybe you don't think it's bad behaviour. But I tell you this, would you have a situation where you had a private in the Royal Marines
10:18
right, and the commander, their commander said, oh, you know that amphibious landing you did
10:23
Could have been better. You should have done this. You should have done that. Well, you know, whatever
10:27
It's tough out there, you know? It's ridiculous. I mean, if you were a banker and you're a superstar banker, right
10:34
making millions for your firm every year. And your chief executive goes and remodels the entire firm
10:40
I've been in this situation myself in the past, by the way, in my career, right? What are you going to go and do an interview with the FT
10:46
And they ask you, oh, what do you think about the massive reorganization that your chief executive has done
10:50
supposedly to increase the bottom line profitability of your firm? Yeah, whatever, whatever
10:55
It's tough out there. Yeah, we could all mount the Jude defense, couldn't we
10:59
Look, I've got nothing against Jude Benningham personally. I really don't, right
11:03
I recognize his talents. I recognize that he's one of the best players in the world. And in fact, my mate John, I said to him
11:08
John, you're not going to be pleased with my opening hour today. And he said, what? I said, I'm going to talk about Jude Bay
11:13
He said, don't diss my man. He's single-handedly taking us through this tournament
11:18
That may be the case. That may be the case. But I tell you this, win with some honor and some decency, for heaven's sake
11:24
If your boss is telling you that you should have done better and you were sloppy and you were lucky
11:29
don't undermine your boss in public. You could have come up with something different
11:33
You could have said, look, we need to dissect the game. It was a tough match out there, really difficult conditions
11:39
Glad we got to the next round, but we've got to reflect on what we did. Don't say to your boss in front of the entire national press, international press, whatever, whatever
11:48
It's tough out there. Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play against these guys. How ridiculously rude and reductive and dismissive is that
11:56
And if that's the kind of behavior that we respect and elevate and deify these people to be demigods like Jude Bellingham
12:03
what does that say about us? What does that say about us? Next time someone's nicking a Mars bar in Sainsbury's
12:09
that's a defence they're going to use. It's going to be called the Jude defence. And if you think I'm overplaying this
12:14
it's the little things that matter in society. So, Jude, you may not have asked for the responsibility
12:20
to be a role model for people around this country, but wittingly or unwittingly or unwillingly or willingly
12:27
you have that particular role, whether you like it or not, because of who you are
12:32
Now, if you don't want to say anything nice about your boss, don't say anything at all
12:36
But don't diss your boss in front of the entire international media
12:40
irrespective of whether you think he may be a tool or not. That is not the way you conduct yourself in public
12:47
I am actually, frankly, downright outraged by this, and I think it's really, really disgraceful behaviour
12:54
and I think Jude Bellingham should apologise to his boss. Now, he's not probably going to, and nor is Tuchel going to make him
12:58
because it's so embarrassing for Tuchel. Tuchel has come and said out loud
13:02
there's no disputes between us we're all at one of course he's going to say that
13:06
what can he say it's downright embarrassing that his own striker has undermined him
13:12
in front of the entire international press what can Tuchel say I really really think
13:16
that it gives the wrong message I really really do is Jude Bellingham
13:22
dismissive attitude to his boss setting a bad example you bet you bet it is
13:27
I don't care how many goals he scored last night That is no way to behave at all
13:32
James in Nottingham, good afternoon. Hey Ali, how are you? Very well, sir. What would you like to say
13:38
I just want to say that I just think you're speaking complete rubbish, to be honest. So, you know, Tuchel's been interviewed after a match
13:46
He said they're not played for their best ability. The reporter then said what mentality as well
13:52
And he said no, absolutely not. The mentality was there. We can stick that in a bottle and we can sell it
13:56
He got actually angry with the reporter for suggesting the mentality wasn't there
14:00
We can all agree that they didn't play the best game. And then the same reporter then basically told Jude Bellingham
14:06
that his boss has told him that they didn't play very well. And he's been on a pitch for 120 minutes in humid, 32-degree heat or whatever it's been
14:15
Of course, you're going to be frustrated. I would be frustrated at work. And I'd probably say something to my boss if that's right
14:20
it was but I bet you a thousand pounds that if um Jude Bellingham watches Tuchel's interview this
14:26
morning and gets it into context he wouldn't have said what he said well then he should keep his
14:31
mouth shut James so so so so James hold on a second right so you telling me I talking rubbish let me just uh let me just dissect this so you saying that because he played for 120 minutes and it was exhausting it was absolutely punishing conditions and heat and you up against a very tough side
14:46
and they won in extra time, right? And I understand all this. You're saying that that excuses his comments
14:54
So would you not be mentally exhausted? No, no, no, no, no. I'm asking you, James. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be
14:58
I wouldn't make it to 12 minutes, let alone 120, right? So I'm not arguing. I'm not arguing that it's tough
15:04
I'm not arguing that it's tough. I'm arguing for professionalism. So you're coming on here, James
15:08
and you're telling me I'm talking rubbish on the basis that because he's knackered after spending 120 minutes on the pitch
15:14
and giving two goals to England, that that gives him the right to undermine his boss in front of the entire international media
15:20
Is that what you're saying? I'm saying I completely understand where he's coming from
15:23
Yeah, but why are you saying I'm talking rubbish? Because you're getting angry saying
15:27
he shouldn't be talking about his boss like that. Yes, he shouldn't be. So does that mean..
15:31
And then he talks about role models. Yes. He talks about role models. Jude Bellingham's one of the greatest role models we have in England
15:37
Maybe Harry Kane first. He always stops and talks to journalists. There was a video recently where he stops and spoke to a Spanish journalist
15:46
He spends a lot of time with children in hospitals. He's an absolute role model
15:52
I'm not saying that he may not be in the round doing many other good things
15:56
All I'm saying is that even if you're completely exhausted, there's something called professionalism in front of the international media
16:03
And I accept the fact that if you're having a microphone stuck in front of your face after you've just given everything on the pitch and then you're hearing that your boss is not happy with you, you'd be a bit irked
16:12
I understand it from a human level, James. All I'm saying is either don't give interviews if you can't actually conduct yourself properly, or if you do, then save it for behind the dressing room to go and have it out with your boss
16:22
Don't have it out with your boss in this dismissive manner saying no comment or whatever, whatever
16:27
This sends the completely wrong message. It's a bit like saying what we're going to have like kids in school now with their teacher
16:33
when they tell them to go and do their homework, oh, whatever, miss. It's tough out there, you know? What nonsense
16:37
What nonsense, James. And you're saying this guy's a role model. It's not the same at all. It is the same
16:41
It is exactly the same. Because this person, this person is lauded and looked up to
16:46
and deified as a demigod. Right. I'll tell you when it would be the same
16:51
So it would be the same if the teacher asked the pupil to go and do massive amounts of homework
16:57
And then the pupil gives the homework in, and then the teacher goes
17:02
it's not good enough, do it again. and the people as much effort in it as possible done
17:05
So, James, what you want is Thomas Tuchel to blow smoke up Jude Bellingham's posterior
17:13
That's what you want, isn't it? That's what you want. James, hold on the line. Barry in Edgeware
17:17
Barry. Hello, Ali. You're absolutely right. Thomas Tuchel is probably one of the best football managers in the world
17:24
Bellingham will never be that. He's only one game away from an injury
17:28
being a has-been. I wouldn't play him the next game if I was Tuchel, but that won't happen
17:32
OK, but Barry, Barry, one second, right? Whether you think Tuchel's the best manager in the world or not
17:37
frankly, for me, is irrelevant, right? Whether he's good, bad, or... He has been appointed, right, to be the England manager
17:43
He is the boss, right? Now, whether you think... Whether Bellingham thinks he's a completely inept tool or whatever
17:48
is not... Besides the point. If he thinks it is, go and have it out in the dressing room
17:52
James, come back to Barry. Go on. Yeah, I just think if Tuchel's the best manager in the world
17:57
if I was managing the England team, I would have him in the classroom this morning
18:03
I would show him the full interview that Tuchel did and then I would say this is what I actually said
18:08
and then they would say apologies to each other and they'd get on with it and that would be professionalism
18:14
but James, look, fair enough and I agree with you on the 120 minutes thing
18:18
I definitely agree and empathise with you all I'm saying is that Jude Bellingham has to appreciate
18:23
he's 23 years old, he has to appreciate millions of people around the world are watching that match
18:27
he's not only representing his country He's representing himself to every young person
18:32
and every person in this country who will look up to him and deify him. He needs to do better
18:37
James, thank you. Barry, final word to you. Well, I've got a son who looks just like Jude Bellingham
18:42
so work that one out. And I'm a white man, but he's been rude. Very, very rude
18:45
Well, he's rude. Exactly. And just for the record, millions of people lost millions of pounds
18:51
because they didn't beat them in normal time. And that's why a lot of us are disappointed
18:56
Well, that's a separate issue, Barry. Can't blame him for that. Look, I'm saying the guy is a very talented player
19:02
Of that, there is no doubt. You've just got to manage yourself. It's called professionalism for heaven
19:06
So you can't diss your boss in front of the entire international media in that way
19:10
It's unacceptable. Sarah in Lincoln. Sarah. Hello, yeah. Hello, Ali. I agree, actually, in listening to both people that have just rung up
19:21
Yeah. Genuinely now, I mean, no one's perfect, yeah? No, of course
19:26
But the boss is the boss. And ultimately, they haven't even had a chance to regroup, really look at the game, look at the technical aspects of it, and then formulate a decision on what they're going to do next
19:38
So Jude needs to refrain. Harry's been in the spotlight for so much longer. He can be a mentor, take him under his wing, and actually guide him because he's 23. Yeah, he's a kid, really
19:51
But you see, Sarah, you're touching on something very important here. Because, look, I don't know, Harry Kane may not be perfect
19:58
but I struggle to imagine that Harry Kane would have ever said something like that publicly
20:02
He wouldn't. Because he's older, he's got more experience. Now, if Jude Bellingham is inexperienced and he's only 23 years old
20:07
let's remember, he's a young man and people make mistakes. Of course they do. We all do
20:12
Then don't give interviews if you're exhausted after 120 minutes. Just say, look, sorry, I'm not giving interviews
20:16
Do it in the morning. You don't have to give an interview. Yeah, and actually I just think there needs to be a formal agreement between the manager
20:24
and the team. You know, this is a no-go and actually this is our stance, this is what we say afterwards
20:31
You know, they formulate a structured response. It's a very good point because what they do is they grab them before they've had the chance
20:37
to even group, right? So everyone's messaging is all over the place and in that particular case, if you're not
20:43
experienced, then don't speak to the press. But Sarah, do you agree with me or how do you feel about this
20:48
You cannot undermine your boss in public like that. Yeah, I do completely agree with you
20:53
He's an ambassador not just for himself and the team, but the entire England community
21:00
It sets a bad example. It sets a bad example. And look, you know, I'm sure he's a good example in many ways
21:06
but on this particular thing, you are going to have people who look at that and think
21:09
oh, yeah, that kind of behaviour is acceptable, and it patently is not. Joyce, a first-hand caller in Croydon
21:14
Joyce. Yes, hello. Thank you so much. I have listened to what he said
21:19
because I was watching the television at that time. I think we need to be considerate, far more considerate
21:27
knowing he has played for 120 minutes and he had that interview
21:32
I want us to think about, we have not said what he did very well in the interview
21:36
We are only coming off negatively at that one point. Well, that is a point to come off negatively
21:42
There's still a match to play, so we need to encourage him. No, no, no, Joyce
21:46
No, no, Joyce. We, of course, need to encourage, but we also need to call out
21:50
when people do things that are undermining their boss. It a very straightforward thing So I not here to give Jude Bellingham a stroke stroke oh Jude you such a good guy jude you a brilliant player right you taken uh england to the next round we we accept that i accept that right fine but i sorry i going to call this out because it totally
22:08
unacceptable i would never call out my boss in public in a in a press conference i would never
22:13
do do such a thing you do behind closed doors right unless you want to blow up your whole career
22:17
right so when i called out david cameron for the fact that i totally disagreed with him and thought was all full of style and no substance
22:24
That was when I was prepared to blow up my own career, right? If you want to blow up your own career, then go and do that, right
22:29
But don't do it if you still expect to be playing on Wednesday in the match under the same boss you're undermining
22:34
in front of the whole entire international media. He just said, whatever, and he's going to have time to reflect
22:40
at some other stage where they replay, etc. And I'm sure it will be different
22:45
Please give him a chance because he's doing a great job. But does he, but you see, Joyce, I think it's important to debate this, because, I mean, do we know that he's reflected on this and thinks he's even done something wrong
22:57
Because frankly, if he doesn't, that does not send out a good message to any other young person who Gareth Southgate says should look up to as a role model
23:06
Like it or not, Jude Bellingham hasn't asked for the position to be a role model. Did he ask for the position to be an ambassador for anybody
23:12
He hasn't, Joyce, but being an England, no, he has not, you're right. but being an England player de facto means you are
23:18
Whether you like it or not, you are. So you have to conduct yourself in a manner
23:22
Otherwise, where does this stop, Joyce? What, driving a Lamborghini 120 miles an hour
23:26
in a 20 mile an hour zone, going and drugging and potentially sexually abusing a woman
23:30
If you don't give him a chance, he will come through this. Please give him a chance
23:35
If not, he will not. Come the next match, he will not be the same
23:40
We will have an outcome that we would not like. So in order for this match and the future to go on
23:46
we've got to be lifting him up at this time. Bex, first time caller in Tunbridge Wells
23:51
Bex, good afternoon. Hello, can you hear me? Yes, indeed I can, loud and clear
23:55
Hi, thanks. I've never rang in before, but I've rung in because I was really surprised
24:01
with how your reaction. I thought you were getting really angry about what the manager was saying about the players. No
24:09
No, I can see that. But basically, I just, I think it's all about the timing
24:15
I think if it had been the next day, and I know various other callers have said this
24:20
Jude Bellingham wouldn't have reacted like that. But he's just played for however long in the ridiculous heat
24:26
We all know what it's like to feel boiling hot at the minute. And it wasn't a measured, you know, he wasn't calm
24:33
And I think, if anything, I think the manager was really, he's got, of course he's entitled to have his view
24:38
that they could have done better. And we agree. But, I mean, they literally just played
24:44
And I don't think the manager should be allowed to just say whatever he wants just because he's the manager
24:48
I don't believe in that sort of hierarchy. And I would actually say something to my boss
24:52
if I thought they were being a little bit disrespectful towards me and my team
24:57
Well, maybe the manager just doesn't think they played well enough and they fluked it. And that's absolutely fine
25:02
He's entitled to say it. He's entitled the manager's job is to win this tournament
25:07
He's not there to, like, stroke Jude Bellingham's ego or anyone else's ego or give them a Mars bar for taking part
25:12
He's there to win this tournament. That's his sole job, Becks, and if he doesn't, he's going to be fired, right
25:17
And he is entitled. Of course he's entitled to say. But Jude Bellingham is also, as a human being
25:22
who is on an equal level. I don't believe that the manager has more right to say things
25:27
because he's in a managerial position. I don't believe in that hierarchy
25:30
I think Jude Bellingham is quite entitled, and he said it quite gently, entitled to say
25:35
I don't fully agree with you. Bex, let me ask you this. Do you think there's a hierarchy in a school
25:40
between a pupil and a teacher? I'm a special needs teacher. Right, so what do you think
25:44
No, I think I learn a lot from my students. I think they're wonderful. Okay, so that's part of the problem
25:49
You're part of the problem, Bex. Because if you don't think that adults should be adults
25:53
and children should be children in a teaching environment, you're part of the problem. Well, they're adults
25:58
They're adults with special needs. Fine, okay. But do you think a child, let's say an 11 to 18-year-old in a school
26:04
is an equal level in terms of being able to say what they want as the teacher
26:09
No, but that's different. We're talking about adult and adult. Yeah, but we're talking about children. Okay, fine, adult and adult
26:13
We're talking about a boss and a player, right? Of course the boss is entitled to say whatever he wants
26:19
and I agree with him. I 100% agree. But I also think Jude Bellingham, he's a wonderful young man
26:25
was entitled to say, and of course he didn't put it in the best way of saying whatever
26:30
That was very unprofessional. He's very dismissive, actually. It's rude. He was very dismissive, but he felt that in that moment
26:36
He'd just been playing football for all that time. Bex, Bex, Bex, Bex, Bex, okay
26:40
So if you feel something, all I'm saying is, I'm not saying that on a human level, right
26:44
I mean, I couldn't make it to 12 minutes. I've said this, right? I'm not. Drew Bellingham's an exceptional player, right
26:49
He is, and he's a lovely young man. He was absolutely exhausted, right? As they all were, and they gave everything, right
26:54
They didn't play the best, but they got through it, and that's what matters, right? You've got to win when you're not playing well
26:58
Fine. Okay. Just don't give an interview. Don't give the... He wasn't in control of when he gave an interview
27:03
Yeah, but he doesn't have to. They have to be trained, Bex. Do you think that Jude Bellingham had any say
27:09
in whether or not he gave an interview? Of course he didn't have any say. He was told to give an interview
27:14
OK, so then what they should do then, if they're incapable of actually acting diplomatically
27:18
because they're exhausted, then they should have a policy that only Harry Kane is going to speak to the press
27:22
because only Harry Kane can control himself and give a good account of himself under those conditions
27:26
We don't trust anyone else to do it. OK, well, that's all maybe we learn from this. Exactly. I'm saying Jude Bellingham was in a position there
27:32
He didn't know what he was going to be asked. I think you're making this into a very..
27:38
I think you're being very rude about Jude Bellingham. No, I'm not
27:43
Because he wasn't in control of that. No, no, no, he was. He didn't know what he was going to be asked
27:47
No, no, no, no, Bex, Bex, Bex, Bex, sorry. Yes. Sorry. Go on. He's an adult, right
27:50
So part of being a footballer is you're trained to speak to the press, or it should be. If it's not, then the England team need to go and do some..
27:56
go and hire a PR firm to coach them how to do media training. It's part of what you do
28:01
He's a Galactico. He plays for Real Madrid. He's used to dealing with the media all the time
28:05
And being tired is not an excuse for coming out with that nonsense. Now, if you think it is and you're excusing that
28:10
then I tell you this, right? It's just small things that matter. You will find Jude Bellingham is now going to be a role model
28:16
and that could be used as a defence by people at all sorts of things
28:20
Oh, it's tough out there. It's tough out there. It's not acceptable, Bex. I disagree with you. Do you not think that perhaps it's actually him saying that if you have something to say
28:29
regardless of whether you're not at the top of the hierarchy, you're not the boss, that it's okay to speak out and say, I don't agree
28:35
Perhaps he didn't put it in the best way. Do you not think that it's okay for him to have a different view to his manager
28:41
Bex, absolutely not in public. Absolutely not. Do you think Alex Ferguson would for one second, or Mourinho would for one second
28:50
tolerate someone undermining them in public, one of their own players, when they're the boss
28:56
If you think that, Bex, I don't know what planet you're living on, but it's not planet that I want to live on because you do have a hierarchy here
29:02
You have a boss and you have players. And if the players don't like the boss and they think the boss is a complete ridiculous
29:06
tool and is inept, they can go and say that behind players' doors or they can go and resign
29:10
from the team, right, or go and lobby to have their boss replaced. They cannot undermine their boss in public in that way
29:17
It's simply unacceptable
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