Premier League referee Howard Webb retires to take up technical role

Howard Webb has retired from professional refereeing to become the new technical director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

The 43-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best referees ever produced in England and highly respected in the world game, brings to an end a 25-year career to be responsible for overseeing the on-field performances of PGMOL match officials.

Webb said: “I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch.

"Refereeing has given me so much and I think it’s important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge."

Howard Webb

“I have spent over a decade with the best seat in the house for Barclays Premier League matches, been lucky enough to be involved in nine major international tournaments, and taken charge of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals.

“Refereeing has given me so much and I think it’s important that match officials who have had the rewards remain in the game to pass on their knowledge.

“I also have much more to learn about the business of refereeing and I believe the best place for me to do that is with PGMOL. We all have a common goal of improving refereeing.”

Former Premier League referee Mike Riley, PGMOL’s general manager, said: “Howard has been the foremost referee of his generation and an inspiration for match officials in this country and around the world.According to a statement issued by PGMOL on Wednesday, Webb “will work extensively on the successful development programme” which currently provides a pathway for level three referees to join the company’s ‘Select Group’.

“His role will strengthen refereeing in this country. Last season we trebled the funding for referee coaching and training and we will continue to invest in match officials from the Premier League down to the contributory leagues.”

Webb began refereeing in 1989 and progressed through the Northern Counties and Football League to become a Select Group official in 2003.

In 2010 Howard became the first referee to take charge of the UEFA Champions League final and the FIFA World Cup final in the same year.He has refereed over 500 Barclays Premier League and Football League matches and officiated in every major domestic final, as well as in nine international tournaments including the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

In 2011 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to football.