Mike Dean, the well-known Premier League referee, has found a new home on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show. Just one day after retiring from officiating in the Premier League, Dean has joined the show as one of its weekly pundits.
The 55-year-old will now provide expert analysis on refereeing decisions made in England’s top-flight fixtures. Soccer Saturday has also announced that Simon Thomas will be taking over as the new main anchor, following the departure of Jeff Stelling.
The show, which has been on air since 1992, will be broadcast from a brand-new studio this season. Dean expressed his excitement about joining the well-loved show, saying it feels surreal to be a part of it. He believes that with all the technology available in today’s game, it is crucial for fans to understand why decisions have been made, even if they don’t agree with them.
Thomas, who will be taking over the hosting duties, expressed his honor and excitement to be following in the footsteps of Jeff Stelling, a true legend in sports broadcasting.
Dean’s retirement from the Premier League marked the end of an era. He first started officiating in 1985 and was promoted to the Premier League in 2000. Over the years, he oversaw more than 550 matches.
