Mike Dean not too long ago opened up about what it was prefer to referee Arsenal for 22 years as a Premier League official, suggesting legendary supervisor Arsene Wenger will not be his largest fan.
Like most referees, Dean is a polarizing determine, however he is likely one of the most talked about referees within the Premier League, notably as a consequence of his weird on-field conduct.
The officers have been a lot maligned, however the 57-year-old not too long ago revealed that though he has no downside coping with him off the pitch, the hardest participant for referees was Craig Bellamy, as it’s an not possible process to please each participant and supervisor.
Talking to Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney on the newest version of the Overlap Fan Debate, the previous referee additionally named which supervisor he discovered it tough to get together with, revealing that their emotions have been very related…
Mike Dean names Arsene Wenger as ‘probably the most tough’ supervisor
A Tranmere Rovers supporter has revealed that he was informed by individuals who used to work at Arsenal that Wenger would successfully name off video games underneath Dean as he believed the Gunners had “no probability”.
“As quickly as the sport was introduced on Monday and he discovered I used to be reffing, he was like, ‘Oh my god, he’s reffing us once more this weekend, we don’t have an opportunity.’ So, instantly, he simply bought drained.
“He was in all probability the toughest.”
Clarifying why supervisor Arsene Wenger is tough to take care of, he stated: “I by no means bought together with Arsene Wenger. I simply do not know what it was. I do not know if it was me refusing each time they misplaced, however I simply could not get together with him.”
2025/26 All Premier League referees ranked
The Arsenal legend was additionally seen kicking a water bottle in frustration within the embers of a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in 2009, earlier than being despatched to the stands by Dean.
Dean beforehand revealed particulars of a very violent conflict following the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in 2017, saying: “He leaned in direction of me very aggressively and repeatedly pointed at me aggressively and stated, ‘You are not being trustworthy.’
“I stated, ‘So that you name me a fraud?’ He replied, ‘I stand by what I say, you are not being trustworthy.’
“He then stated: ‘You’ve got executed this to us so many instances earlier than, you ought to be knowledgeable and it is a shame.’ He was then escorted out of the room by a West Brom security officer.”
The pair disagreed till the 76-year-old left Arsenal in 2018, but it surely seems they’ve since been capable of put their variations behind them, with Dean saying: “I have been watching him since he completed enjoying soccer and he is been nice. When you cross the white line, everybody’s totally different, just like the referees. We’re simply regular individuals.”
2025/26 All Premier League referees ranked
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