Mike Dean may have finally hung up his whistle but the renowned Merseyside official has not left the Premier League and will have a big part to play in next season.
Wirral resident Dean, 54, retired from top-level refereeing at the end of the 2021/22 campaign after 22 years, making him England's longest-serving referee. But he is set to return to the Premier League next season as a dedicated video assistant referee (VAR).
He will follow in the footsteps of Lee Mason, by becoming the second dedicated VAR referee to be appointed by the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL).
READ MORE: Bad Richarlison take could come true if Everton halt concerning transfer trend
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah Liverpool contract saga ends same way it began after Julian Ward intervention
According to The Times, Dean had considered taking a referee coaching role in the PGMOL’s new elite referee development plan, but has now agreed to take on the VAR role instead.
The eccentric official, who is a well known supporter of Merseyside club Tranmere Rovers, officiated a record 560 top flight English football matches, including the 2008 FA Cup Final and was also a FIFA match official.
During his career, Dean sent off over 100 players in the Premier League.
