Pochettino reignites old feud with ‘stupid’ Mike Dean and says ref has ‘shown what he is’ after controversial claims

FORMER ref Mike Dean was “stupid” and has “shown what he is” – according to Mauricio Pochettino. Poch was involved in an angry bust-up with Dean after Spurs’ 2-1 defeat at Burnley in 2019. Ex-Prem ref Mike Dean controversially said he used to play “games” during matches he oversaw Credit: GETTY Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss believes Dean has shown his true colours with his revelation Credit: GETTY The Argentine played down suggestions that Dean had mocked Tottenham’s fading title hopes in the altercation. But after the ex-whistler claimed he had played “MINI GAMES” during Prem clashes, Pochettino suggested Dean had not done himself any favours. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Poch said: “He was always controversial. But now he’s showing people how he was. “Our code is we never talk about what happened on the pitch. “You know, ‘what happened in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas’. “When you are a player and something happened on the pitch, you always keep it a secret. “At that time, the Burnley match, we were under pressure and disappointed and he said one stupid thing, which we reacted to. “It wasn’t important and not something we couldn’t deal with it. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS “But when you are under that pressure, you don’t want to hear a joke. “He put gasoline on the fire.” Asked about Dean’s recent claims, Poch added: “Maybe he’s now playing a little bit with his personality, trying to be funny, and to create some controversial things. “I don’t believe that he did what he was saying he did in that podcast. Mauricio Pochettino had a heated confrontation with Mike Dean after Spurs’ 2-1 defeat at Burnley in 2019. Credit: REUTERS Pochettino reacted after Dean allegedly said ‘here’s your title gone’. a claim the Argentine has dismissed Credit: REUTERS “He’s putting some salt, pepper, like a chilli, some condiments on a steak. “It was always funny to be with him and we had a good relationship. “There was just that one situation, that was tough because we were in a very sensitive moment. “And that’s it. It’s all just in the memory now.” Comment now