Euro 2020: Jude Bellingham's academy coach 'incredibly proud'

 The former academy coach of England star Jude Bellingham says he feels "incredibly lucky" to have coached him.

Euro 2020: Jude Bellingham's academy coach 'incredibly proud'






Mike Dodds said he has known the 18-year-old for the "best part of 10 or 11 years".


"I'm incredibly proud of him, incredibly proud of the young man that he's developing into," Mr Dodds told BBC Radio WM.


The Birmingham City academy coach said he hopes to see Bellingham on the pitch later at Wembley.


But he added, jokingly, he would sacrifice not seeing him come on if England won the final against Italy.


Bellingham, who only turned 18 two weeks ago, signed for German side Borussia Dortmund last year, after joining the Blues academy aged seven.

Euro 2020: Jude Bellingham's academy coach 'incredibly proud'

"He conducts himself with complete humility and he's a fantastic ambassador not just for Birmingham City but for the city of Birmingham," Mr Dodds said.


"My biased opinion will be 'yeah, he should start'... but I think if we're being completely honest, he's probably not going to start."


Commenting on Bellingham's age, Mr Dodds said it was "ridiculous" to think he should have been taking his A-Levels a few months ago, but is instead in the final of a major tournament.

Euro 2020: Jude Bellingham's academy coach 'incredibly proud'

He said he has spoken to the midfielder a few days ago and he told him he was "loving every minute".


Bellingham has managed to get his former coach a ticket to the final, leaving Mr Dodds feeling like he had one of Willy Wonka's golden tickets.


"I'm incredibly lucky, so he's obviously looked after me in terms of some of the other games as well. I just wasn't expecting to go to the game."


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