Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has publicly backed young midfielder Jobe Bellingham, insisting the England Under-21 international will succeed in Germany despite a challenging start to his career at Signal Iduna Park.
The Weight of Expectation and a Slow Start
The 20-year-old completed a high-profile £32 million move from Sunderland to Dortmund last summer, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude. However, his adaptation has been far from smooth. Jobe is yet to score in his 23 appearances this season and was sent off in Dortmund's recent Bundesliga clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Kovac, who took over as head coach in February, pointed to the significant step up from the English Championship and the unique pressures facing the youngster. "He's also coming from abroad, where the language and culture were different, and his brother was here, too, so there's that extra pressure around him," the Croat told The Athletic.
Kovac's Firm Belief and Club Backing
The 54-year-old manager emphasised that a slow adaptation period is natural for young players moving clubs, often taking three to six months. He dismissed unfair expectations for instant success and revealed the club's hierarchy is firmly behind the player. "He's played in 23 games so far, and this is good for his development, I think. He's making steps forward all the time, and he will absolutely have a good career. I'm very happy with him," Kovac stated.
This internal support was underscored by reports from German outlet BILD, which claimed that Dortmund's decision-makers have opted against signing a new central midfielder in January to show faith in Bellingham. CEO Lars Ricken, sporting director Sebastian Kehl, and Kovac are said to view him as a 'training champion' who will soon translate that form to competitive matches.
Off-Pitch Dynamics and Family Involvement
The start of the season was also marked by reported tensions involving Jobe's father and advisor, Mark Bellingham. After Jobe was substituted at half-time in a 3-3 draw with St Pauli, Mark reportedly held an emotional discussion with sporting director Sebastian Kehl, voicing frustration over the decision and the team's performance.
The situation prompted Kehl to issue a reminder that the dressing-room area is strictly for players and staff, stating, "This will not happen again. We have made this clear to all involved." Despite this, Kovac describes Jobe himself as a "wonderful, educated and humble guy" who may even be too obsessed with football.
Jobe, who signed a five-year deal with an initial fee of £27.8 million plus add-ons, has one competitive goal for Dortmund, scored in the Club World Cup. While his brother Jude left a legacy of 24 goals and 25 assists in 132 games before joining Real Madrid, Jobe's journey at Dortmund is only just beginning, with the club's management betting on his long-term success.
