Inside Mike Dean’s retirement as Premier League referee soaks up the sun on holiday, plays golf and sinks pints
MIKE DEAN is enjoying the retired life, soaking up the sun on holiday, playing golf and sinking pints.
Dean has been an official in the English top-flight since 2000 but hung up his whistle at the end of the season.
He is now set to take up a role with VAR but sure is enjoying his time off before doing so.
Dean, 54, has holidayed in Spain and Sweden while playing golf.
But when the Premier League legend is not on the green he is sinking back some pints.
Dean, who issued a record 114 red cards, created his Instagram account after his last game to sign off his refereeing career.
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He posted: “So much love for this game but time to call full time one last time. 22 years. 560 @premierleague games.
“Some unbelievable memories and I’ll miss this next season.”
Dean was beloved by fans for his eccentric antics, which included once “celebrating” a goal scored by Tottenham.
He also featured on the hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso and regularly goes nuts while supporting Tranmere Rovers, his beloved team.
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Following Dean in retirement will be Jon Moss and Martin Atkinson.
Both are moving upstairs with new senior roles within the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
Atkinson, 51, took charge of his first Premier League game in 2005 and went on to referee at the 2011 FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Stoke City.
The Yorkshireman also famously abandoned a Euro 2016 qualifying match between Serbia and Albania after crowd disturbances and a drone was flown onto the pitch.
Former PE teacher Moss, 51, taught Liverpool midfielder James Milner and sent him off in a match three years ago.
Moss was appointed to the Premier League in 2010 but his first match was postponed due to snow and he did not take charge of a top-flight game until the following year.