This is the man who once celebrated his own decision to signal ‘advantage’ instead of whistling for a free-kick because it meant the game could continue and resulted in a goal.
Mike Dean’s season…
– December 2018: Told Lewis Dunk to leave the pitch with “off you pop!”
– January 2019: Broke Pochettino at Turf Moor
– April 2019: Became the first referee to reach 100 Red Cards
– May 2019: Went mental as Tranmere reach the Playoff final!
Icon. pic.twitter.com/AdqCQ6Hg67
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) May 13, 2019
It’s also things like saying, ‘Off you pop’, when showing a red card, and playing the comedian by hiding Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick ball up his shirt.
He has now gone viral away from the Premier League stage, with the most unmistakable and pure ‘Mike Dean’ moment.
– MIKE DEAN AND TRANMERE ARE HEADING TO WEMBLEY!
The Premier League referee cannot hide his excitement at The New Lawn as his side secure their place in the play-off final! pic.twitter.com/ZCrOur7xbn
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 13, 2019
The fist pumping was…something else, so ‘Mike Dean’ that he would be proud.
I just don’t buy that Mike Dean would do this after 19 seasons of patient characterisation. The writers have let us all down.
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) May 13, 2019
Tranmere, who only returned to the Football League (EFL) in 2018 after three seasons at non-league level, will now face Newport County in the playoff final for a place in League One.
Let’