Mike Dean has been a Premier League official since 2000 and has gone on to referee 553 matches in total, issuing 114 red cards in the process; famous for his showman-like technique and no-nonsense approach with players, Dean has taken charge of some of the division's biggest games
Wednesday 23 March 2022 06:03, UK
Premier League referee Mike Dean will retire at the end of the 2021/22 season but is likely to continue as a full-time VAR official.
Dean has been a Premier League official since 2000 and has gone on to referee 553 matches in total, issuing 114 red cards in the process - more than any other referee.
Famous for his showman-like technique and no-nonsense approach with players, the 53-year-old has taken charge of some of the division's biggest games.
After 22 years as a Premier League referee, which included two FA Cup final appearances, the avid Tranmere Rovers fan is stepping down to allow the next generation of elite match officials the chance to emulate his career in the middle.
Not to be crossed, Dean has issued the most yellow cards (2,026) and awarded 184 penalties during his time as a referee, also a Premier League record.
He is reportedly in talks with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) over a move to become a permanent video assistant referee from the start of next season - following in the footsteps of Lee Mason, who made the switch after retiring as a match referee last year.
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton wrote in The Times: "He's not a guy who chases the big time; the big time comes to Mike Dean."
