Pochettino reignites feud with former referee Dean
Mauricio Pochettino has reopened his feud with former Premier League referee Mike Dean by claiming the official “put gasoline on the fire” during their infamous touchline confrontation, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred after Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley in February 2019, a match that impacted Spurs’ title ambitions. Following the final whistle, Pochettino confronted Dean on the pitch, leading to a heated exchange that required intervention from staff.
Pochettino was subsequently handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £10,000 for improper conduct, which he accepted. The dispute was further inflamed by speculation regarding Dean’s remarks about Tottenham’s dwindling championship hopes.
In a recent interview, Pochettino revealed that Dean did indeed make what he deemed a “stupid” comment, although he declined to divulge its exact content. “But when you are under that pressure, you don’t want to hear a joke,” he remarked. “He put gasoline on the fire.”
Pochettino’s comments follow Dean’s recent statement about playing “mini games” while on the pitch, a claim the former Tottenham manager finds dubious. He suggested Dean might be embellishing his experiences to attract attention. “Maybe he’s now playing a little bit with his personality, trying to be funny,” he said, adding that Dean’s claims should not be taken at face value.
Despite the contentious past, Pochettino emphasized that there is no lasting animosity between them. “It was always funny to be with him and we had a good relationship. There was just that one situation, that was tough because we were in a very sensitive moment,” he reflected.
Ultimately, the football world remains intrigued by how even divided past encounters can resonate in the present, a reminder of the complex relationships that shape the game, and how fleeting moments can leave long-lasting marks on careers.
