Pochettino brands Mike Dean 'stupid' for seeking controversy after podcast backlash

Mauricio Pochettino has taken aim at former Premier League referee Mike Dean, accusing him of deliberately courting controversy to remain relevant after Dean sparked widespread outrage by admitting on a podcast that he would play personal games during matches — including timing how long he could go without blowing his whistle or leaving the centre circle.

The United States head coach said Dean’s latest remarks were consistent with a pattern of behaviour he had witnessed first-hand. “What he said was a stupid thing,” Pochettino told reporters. “He was controversial. His character now — he’s showing how he was. People maybe like him, people maybe do not. Maybe now he’s playing a little bit with the personality, and to try to be funny, and to create some controversial things.”

Pochettino was directly involved in one of Dean’s most high-profile controversies in February 2019, when the then-Tottenham manager clashed with the official after a defeat at Burnley. The Argentine declined to revisit the specifics — “our code is we never talk about what happened on the pitch, it’s like what happened in Las Vegas — stays in Las Vegas” — but acknowledged the timing of Dean’s joke had been particularly ill-judged given the pressure Spurs were under at the time.

“In that moment we were under pressure. The perception was ‘Tottenham need to win something.’ We were disappointed in that game. One stupid thing, it makes you react so quick,” Pochettino said. “In my position, I would never do that. I’m not going to be the funny guy to make a joke if you are under pressure in your job.”

Despite the friction, Pochettino acknowledged the relationship with Dean had generally been cordial. “It was always funny to be with him. We had a good relationship. It was only this action, that situation, that was tough because we were in a very sensitive moment.”

He urged Dean, now a regular television pundit, to exercise more restraint. “He needs to understand that ‘OK, let’s not put gasoline on to the fire.’ He’s putting some salt, pepper, like a chili, some condiments on a steak.”

Elsewhere, Pochettino used the occasion to throw his support behind Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or, describing it as “Kane’s time” to be recognised as the world’s best player. Kane, who scored 73 goals last season, has been nominated alongside Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, and Lionel Messi. Pochettino drew comparisons with Luka Modrić, Fabio Cannavaro, and Karim Benzema — players he believes deserved the award as the crowning recognition of their careers — and argued Kane merits the same honour despite Bayern Munich and England falling short of finals in the Champions League and World Cup respectively.