EXCLUSIVE: Prominent Agent Describes the ‘Remarkable’ Bellingham Family as Truly Unique

In one of the most significant transfers of the summer, Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Jude, has followed his sibling’s lead by moving away from English football to further his development at Borussia Dortmund, a prominent German club. This notable transfer from Sunderland has been made possible through the guidance of their parents.

It seems both logical and wise that players, especially those as talented and promising as the Bellingham brothers, might prefer to be supported by family rather than the conventional football agent.

This perspective is particularly relevant given the general public’s perception of agents, who are frequently viewed as individuals more concerned with negotiating lucrative contracts for personal gain than fostering genuine player development.

“You’re only seeing the ones where it’s working,” John candidly remarks.

“What you don’t see are parents who attempt to step in, care for their players, and end up failing dismally.

“In this case, the Bellingham family is exceptional because they’ve established a foundation of trust. The boys have confidence in their mother and father. These are intelligent individuals, not the usual run-of-the-mill types.”

Read more: John Viola wants to shape the next generation of football agents

“I’ve found myself in situations where a promising young player is looking to break into the game, and the parents wish to represent him,” Viola, one of the first officially licensed football agents in the UK, explains.

“I tell them they could be doing their child a disservice by lacking the necessary experience and knowledge to navigate their career.”

“They often believe that just because they know their son or daughter, they can guide them through their career.

“Most of these attempts will not succeed, although there are certainly exceptions. I don’t know the Bellinghams personally, but I’m aware of individuals who do know them, and I understand they’re quite astute and committed to their children’s journey.”

Often a ‘rocky road’

Many top-tier players have family members acting as their representatives, which sometimes leads to sensational stories about failed contracts and unusual demands.

Neymar, Adrien Rabiot, Marcus Rashford, and even Lionel Messi are among those who have close relatives taking on official representation roles.

However, Neymar’s time at Barcelona was marred by a series of legal disputes and investigations concerning his reported £50 million move from Santos. Despite those circumstances, Neymar Sr. has consistently stated he has nothing to conceal.

On the other hand, World Cup winner Adrien Rabiot, who relies on his mother, Veronique, for representation, has faced criticism for missing out on significant transfers to clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, labelled as a result of “family incompetence”.

John suggests there are countless others who have tried and failed to navigate their children successfully through the challenging landscape of professional football and typically advises against it.

“Neymar’s father is another fascinating case, even if he’s quite controversial. While I appreciate controversial figures, I frequently deal with individuals who assert they want to represent their children, and I challenge them with questions like, ‘What qualifies you to negotiate that deal?’

“What expertise do you bring to find the right club for them? What transferable skills do you possess that can provide the football knowledge that you might believe you have?

“It’s a precarious journey filled with challenges, as it complicates the personal relationship with your son or daughter. That’s the issue I’ve observed in many cases.

“Also, it’s important to note that representing your child now requires a licence. It used to be different, but not anymore.

“I remain cautious when someone suggests, ‘Let’s involve the family,’ but if the family is qualified, I’m completely supportive. They naturally know their child better than anyone else.

“If someone is keen to take on that role, I’m happy to assist, but it only works effectively for me if I can bring them onto my team.

“So if your child is a genuine talent and you wish to assist them, I’d say, ‘Let’s get you licensed, and I’ll guide you through the process.’

For further insight into the JV Academy and 451 Football Consultancy.