Watford manager Roy Hodgson has praised referee Mike Dean as both men prepare for their final game before retiring at the end of the season. The 74-year-old will take his team to play Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge in a game that will be officiated by Dean.
Roy Hodgson said: “I think he’s been one of the best referees the Premier League have had, without a shadow of a doubt. I think he always does his job properly. I’ve always enjoyed meeting with Mike and having him referee our games because I know that he’s going to do it honestly, with great integrity. And he’s not going to be flustered or too much influenced by a crowd or what the other team are whispering in his ear. I’m sorry for the Premier League to see him go. They are losing a top class referee, and top class referees they don’t grow on trees. If you’ve got one, you really want to look after him. But I think he will do other things. I actually had a chance to speak to him briefly before the Everton game – because he refereed our game just a couple of games back – and he was saying that he thinks it’s the time for him to remove himself from the active part, the physical part, the pressure part. But I’m pretty certainly going to play a very big role in the Premier League and the education of referees, etc.”
