EX-Premier League boss Neil Warnock reckons talk of Mike Dean retiring is ‘ten years too late’.
Referee Dean, 53, is considering calling it a day at the end of the season after 22 years at the top.
Neil Warnock reckons talk of Mike Dean retiring is ‘ten years too late’Credit: Getty Images – GettyMike Dean could call it quits at the end of the season after 22 years at the topCredit: Rex
SunSport understands that no decision has been made so far by Dean or the refereeing governing body over whether he will continue next season.
Should Dean put down his whistle at the end of the campaign, he could stretch his red card record by taking up the role of Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.
But Warnock, who managed the likes of Sheffield United and Cardiff in the Premier League, would not be sad to see Dean go after a number of run-ins.
The 73-year-old told talkSPORT that Dean’s rumoured retirement is “ten years too late”.
He added: “Don’t forget I’m always with smaller clubs and like some of the other referees, they tend to go with the bigger clubs.
“Mike Dean has a great game. I look at him and think he doesn’t have to do what he does. He almost does things to put himself out there when he doesn’t have to.”
Host Laura Woods asked if Warnock would send the ref a retirement card.
To which Warnock quipped: “I wouldn’t spend 12 pence on him, or whatever the cost of a stamp is.
