Hasselbaink 'hurt' by Bellingham's Euros squad comments

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, former England assistant coach, has admitted he was 'hurt' and 'quite painful' by Jude Bellingham's recent comments about the squad's lack of connection during Euro 2024.

Bellingham, speaking on England's Lions' Den show, said the group under Gareth Southgate 'did not connect as well as it could have' and that off-pitch issues contributed to their struggles. The Real Madrid star also noted that the team failed to enjoy their wins amid high expectations.

Hasselbaink, who was part of Southgate's staff at the tournament in Germany, reacted on talkSPORT's White and Jordan show. 'It quite hurt me. It was quite painful for me because I was part of that and I thought it was a really good camp, even though there were so many little problems,' he said.

What did Bellingham say?

• Bellingham felt the squad was not 'connected as well as it could have been' at Euro 2024.
• He said expectation and poor performances overshadowed wins, reducing enjoyment.
• The midfielder called for better unity and appreciation of every player's contribution.
• He acknowledged that the team had 'a few things wrong off the pitch'.

Why it matters

The exchange highlights lingering tensions within the England setup after a tournament that ended in a 2-1 final defeat to Spain, despite reaching back-to-back European Championship finals. Hasselbaink's defense of the camp underscores the divide between players and staff perceptions.

Hasselbaink, now assistant coach for Suriname, praised Southgate's handling of external pressures. 'Gareth did absolutely magnificent with what was coming from outside to in the camp to keep that together and positive,' he added.

What's next

England's next major tournament is the 2026 World Cup, with a new manager expected to be appointed after Southgate's departure. Bellingham's comments and Hasselbaink's reaction may shape ongoing discussions about the team's culture and preparation.