Mike Dean has decided to leave the refereeing body PGMOL, spelling the end of an era for the legendary Premier League match official. Dean, 55, spent last season as a VAR following on from his high-profile career as a referee in England’s elite league. He also spent time coaching match officials over the course of the last campaign. The transition in becoming an off-field official was a challenge after such a long career on the field. Despite one other newspaper reporting that Dean was found 'unsuited to VAR duties' after 'showdown talks' with PGMOL chief Howard Webb, this was in fact a decision made by Dean. In a statement, the Premier League’s refereeing body said: “PGMOL would like to place on record its recognition of Mike’s achievements as well as his immense contribution to refereeing and the game as a whole. We thank him for his dedication to the organisation over a sustained period of time and wish him every success for the future.”
Mike Dean has been snapped up by Sky Sports and will be a weekly feature of their new-look Soccer Saturday show after stepping down from PGMOL duties. Dean will provide expert analysis of refereeing decisions made in England's top-flight fixtures. The Saturday show, which started in 1992, will be broadcast from a new studio this season and Dean, 55, said it was 'surreal to be a part of such a well-loved show'. He added: 'With all the technology available in today's game, I think it's crucial that fans understand why decisions have been made, even if they don't agree with them!'
Source: Daily Mail