From Red Cards to Parcels: David Coote's Unexpected New Career
Honestly, I never thought I'd be writing a story about a former Premier League referee delivering packages. But here we are. David Coote, the name that became synonymous with controversy last year, is now working for Evri, the delivery company. That's quite the career pivot, wouldn't you say?
The Fall From Grace
Remember all the drama? The videos – one where he absolutely roasted Jurgen Klopp, calling him a "German ," and another showing him snorting what turned out to be cocaine? Ouch. That's not exactly the kind of publicity you want as a high-profile referee. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) fired him, and UEFA slapped him with a 16-month ban. It all happened so fast. It was shocking, really. He went from overseeing 100+ Premier League matches to…well, to this.
- The Klopp incident: Coote's criticism of Klopp went viral, causing a massive uproar.
- Cocaine video: This added fuel to the fire and sealed his fate with PGMOL and UEFA.
- The fallout: Coote was dismissed by PGMOL and banned by UEFA until June 2026.
It's a huge fall from grace, no doubt about it. I mean, he was a top-flight ref, officiating the Carabao Cup final just months before it all went down. To go from that level of prestige to delivering parcels...it’s a dramatic shift.
A New Chapter: Delivering Parcels, Rebuilding a Life
So, there he is, caught on a Ring doorbell camera, delivering a package. The Sun newspaper broke the story, and honestly, the pictures tell it all. Coote himself hasn't shied away from the attention. He's been pretty open about his new job, saying it’s helping him regain a sense of purpose and get on with life. He's described it as temporary and emphasized he's focused on family and friends. It's definitely a different kind of pressure than officiating a Premier League match!
"I'm just trying to make an honest living," he said in a recent interview. "I want to get on with my life." It's a pretty straightforward explanation. No excuses, just a clear statement of intent.
More Than Just Parcels: Redemption and Honesty
But it's not just about the parcels. Coote has also been making an effort to address the underlying issues that contributed to his downfall. He publicly came out as gay, talking honestly about the struggles he faced with suppressing his sexuality for so long. He explained that hiding his true self and the pressure of his career led him down a path of self-destruction. He’s trying to make amends and move forward. It takes guts to be so open about such personal things. I think many people respect that, regardless of how they feel about the past events.
He’s also participated in charitable events, such as the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, showcasing a commitment to positive change. It shows that he is trying to actively rebuild his life in a positive way.
The Road Ahead: A Chance for Redemption?
Will he ever return to refereeing? That's the big question. The 16-month ban is a considerable hurdle, and public opinion is certainly a factor. But his current actions and honesty suggest a genuine desire for redemption. Only time will tell if football will welcome him back. However, for now, one thing's for certain: David Coote is working hard to build a new future for himself.
