Mark Clattenburg has shared exactly why former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was such a difficult player to referee.
Duncan Ferguson is widely regarded as one of Everton’s best strikers, certainly since the Premier League was established.
Ferguson was known for being a very physical and sometimes quite hot-headed centre-forward, but above all else, he was a terrific goalscorer.
Although, the Toffees fan favourite wasn’t the most popular among referees, as Clattenburg shares a conversation he once had with him on the pitch.
Mark Clattenburg says Duncan Ferguson was the toughest player to referee
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg appeared on the Beyond The Back Four YouTube channel this week.
He was asked who the toughest player was to officiate, and Duncan Ferguson’s name came up instantly, rather unsurprisingly.
“Duncan Ferguson was intimidating,” Clattenburg admitted.
“Reffed him a few times, would tell me if I don’t solve things he would. Had a way about him. Good sense of humour, nice guy but had a way.
“Knew when ball was getting played up, they’d be arms and defenders getting at him.”
Duncan Ferguson had a strained relationship with referees as a manager
Ferguson’s rants at referees didn’t stop when he retired in fact, as a manager, he was probably more vocal.
When he was the manager of Caley Thistle, he admitted that he needed to change his approach to officials.
“I think I have to change my approach to be honest,” Ferguson said in January 2024.
“I can’t really be getting suspended and put in the stand. It has happened to me twice in six games. I have to think about myself and how I am speaking to referees.
“I think I am getting a one-game suspension and I will serve that suspension. I will not appeal. Hopefully it will not happen again.”
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