Sacked ref David Coote set for sensational return to football with new job – despite cocaine shame and Klopp rant
Sacked ref David Coote set for sensational return to football with new job – despite cocaine shame and Klopp rant
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SACKED Prem referee David Coote may make a sensational return to football — as a VAR instructor, his friends said. The 42-year-old, lauded for his honesty over his cocaine shame, could use his vast experience to help younger officials. Despite his career being torpedoed, Coote is keen to stay in football, although possibly not as a ref.
![[Soccer referee showing a yellow card.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/match-referee-david-coote-shows-952384672_e513b3.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
A source close to him said: “He’s built up an incredible wealth of knowledge and skill. It would be a massive shame if that was lost because of mistakes he made while under moments of incredible stress. “He still gets on with all the other referees and I could see him taking a role somewhere. He’d be perfect as a VAR pundit or expert.”.
![[Close-up of a person apparently snorting cocaine.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/david-coote-alleged-cocaine-story-948895783_de6fea.jpg?strip=all&w=441)
In an exclusive interview in yesterday’s Sun, Coote said he was scared to come out as gay and took coke to “escape”. He was fired after footage emerged of him snorting the class-A drug at Euro 2024. However thousands of fans debated a possible return yesterday after he opened up about the “pressure cooker” of suppressed emotion, plus a punishing work schedule.
![[A man wiping away tears with a tissue.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/referee-david-coote-speaks-stephen-967019949.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Paul Field, chairman of the Referees’ Association, said he hoped Coote is able to remain in English football. He said: “The work he does with young people is exemplary. He’s an unbelievable tutor. He puts so much time and effort into the up-and-coming grassroots officials.
![[Close-up of a man looking surprised.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/david-coote-948396687_1169b0.jpg?strip=all&w=364)
“I’d love him to be part of the FA, training, mentoring, out of the public light to look after himself. He has so much to offer.”. Coote was among the UK’s top three VAR exponents — and one of a select few English officials called up for international matches.
![[Referee David Coote speaking.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/referee-david-coote-speaks-stephen-967018996_7b7793.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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