Dean was also called a ‘fool’ and a ‘wasteman’ by the former Aston Villa man
Premier League referee Mike Dean has been called ‘the most arrogant man in football’ by ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor was discussing Everton’s 5-2 win over West Brom at the weekend with Talksport pundit Adam Catterall. Dean was referee for the match, and sent off West Brom full back Kieran Gibbs and manager Slaven Bilic.
The former Aston Villa forward did not think much of the way Mike Dean spoke to Bilic, and referred back to his playing days when calling Dean ‘the most arrogant man in football’.
“Mike Dean is the most arrogant fool you will ever see. Not just refs, in life itself!”
“Ask any Premier League player!” 🤷♂️
“He needs looking at. I used to give him loads. He needs to respect managers.”
@OfficialGA11 slams Mike Dean. 👀
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ChjGhkM0ts
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 20, 2020
Agbonlahor said:
“Mike Dean is the most arrogant fool you will ever see – in not just refereeing, but in life itself.
“You can ask any Premier League player who has played in a game with him. He’s the most arrogant person. You try and talk to him on the pitch, he’ll tell you to get lost. He’ll say ‘don’t talk to me’.”
Bilic was furious with Dean’s decision to send off Kieran Gibbs, and remonstrated with the ref on the pitch as the players made their way off at half-time. Mike Dean promptly showed Bilic the red card.
A goal and a red card to finish off the half, it's all gone wrong for West Brom!
Slaven Bilic vents his frustrations at Mike Dean 😡 pic.twitter.com/2GBqEsnHqv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 19, 2020
However, Agbonlahor thought Dean treated Bilic’s complaints with contempt.
He said: “What you sending him off for? He didn’t swear at you, he didn’t say anything bad.
“It’s that arrogance from Mike Dean and he needs looking at. Have some respect for the managers and some respect for the players.”
Kieran Gibbs walks off after being dismissed by Mike Dean, much to Slaven Bilic’s frustration. (Photo by Visionhaus)Agbonlahor’s comments were echoed by former Spurs player Graham Roberts, who referred to Mike Dean as “pathetic” on Twitter.
West Brom took the lead against Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, only to eventually lose 5-2 thanks to goals from James Rodriguez, Michael Keane and a hat-trick from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Gabby Agbonlahor has been working as a pundit on Talksport since retiring from football in March 2019.
