Premier League referee Mike Dean will retire at the end of the season but is likely to continue as a full-time VAR official.
Dean has the most red cards (114), yellow cards (2,026), and penalties (184) of any match official in the premier league history, according to Opta data.
Mike Dean’s no-nonsense demeanor and unmistakable style have made him one of the most recognizable referees in English football.
Speaking on the Peter Crouch Podcast back in February 2020, He said: “There’s a touch of arrogance about me when I walk out on the pitch, I know there is. But there’s also a lot of confidence in myself because I believe in my own abilities.
“Because of the way I referee, if the ball comes towards me I won’t jump out of the way, I’ll let it go between my legs. That’s just how it is.
“I love stopovers… I do. You just do it, I love the job I do. And with the way I referee, it comes out that I enjoy what I do.”
Since 2000, the 53-year-old has worked as a referee in the Premier League, officiating 553 games.
Dean’s career has spanned over two decades, and he has contributed a number of iconic moments; from celebrating a Spurs goal, to staring out the match-ball.
