Mike Dean QUITS as a VAR and ends his 28-year run in English football

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.

He will now no longer officiate Premier League games after deciding to depart. 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, who will announce what is next for him in due course.

The transition in becoming an off-field official was a challenge after such a long career on the field. Dean started officiating in 1985 and rose to the top of the refereeing rankings. 

He was promoted to the Premier League in the year 2000 and went on to oversee more than 550 matches before retiring as an on-field referee in 2022.

Mike Dean is departing the Premier League after deciding to leave the refereeing body PGMOL

Despite reports that Dean was found ‘unsuited to VAR duties’ after ‘showdown talks’ with PGMOL chief Howard Webb (pictured), this was in fact a decision made by Dean

The 55-year-old (right) was thanked by the Premier League’s refereeing body in a statement

In a statement, the Premier League’s refereeing body said on Saturday: ‘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.’