Mark Clattenburg has called time on his refereeing career ahead of taking up a UEFA position in Greece. The former Premier League official is in talks to become the country’s head of refereeing, working in association with UEFA as they attempt to clean up Greek football.
Clattenburg was unable to return to his role as a referee in China’s Super League this summer because of visa restrictions for foreign nationals, and he will now step away from his career on the pitch. The Sportsmail columnist said: ‘The time is right to quit refereeing. At 45 it becomes a different challenge mentally. Now, I want to start looking at the education and management side of refereeing. I’ve had a wonderful career and I want to put my experience back in rather than walking away. It’s an exciting new chapter and challenge.’ Clattenburg will assemble his own team in Greece, including a referees’ manager and a VAR manager. The country’s big four clubs have agreed they want him to take charge of officiating and it is hoped he will begin his new role next month.
The pinnacle of Clattenburg’s refereeing career came in 2016 when he presided over the finals of the FA Cup, Champions League and European Championship. He took charge of his first Premier League match in 2004 and spent 13 years in the top flight. After leaving the Premier League in 2017, he moved to Saudi Arabia to become the top referee in the country, replacing Howard Webb. He remained in the gulf until 2019, when he moved to the Chinese Super League.
Source: Daily Mail