David Coote’s journey from a high-profile Premier League referee to delivering parcels for a courier company is a surprising turn that few would have predicted.
Once one of English football’s most respected officials, Coote now finds himself navigating a very different career path close to home in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
The Fall from Grace After Shocking Leaks
Coote, 42, was dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) last December after several videos surfaced online showing him in an unflattering light.
One clip featured him insulting former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp with offensive language, while another disturbing video showed him snorting a white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine.
The PGMOL described his actions as making his position “untenable,” leading to his immediate sacking.
Following this, UEFA handed Coote a 16-month ban for breaching their conduct rules and bringing the game into disrepute.
Life After Football: Delivering Packages and Finding Purpose
Since the scandal, Coote has mostly kept a low profile, but a recent report revealed his new day job — delivering parcels for the courier firm Evri.
Footage captured on a homeowner’s doorbell camera showed Coote dropping off a package, a sight that surprised the local residents.
Speaking about this fresh start, Coote shared, “I’m just trying to make an honest living.
I want to move on with my life and find a sense of responsibility and purpose.
This job keeps me busy and occupied, but it’s not a new long-term career.”
He emphasized that this role allows him to focus on what really matters now, like spending more time with friends and family, and putting his past mistakes behind him.
Friends Stand by Coote Despite His Mistakes
A close friend of Coote spoke openly about the former referee’s situation, highlighting his regret and hope for a future return to football.
“David’s a great lad who lost his career through stupidity, and he knows that,” the friend said.
“Football needs experts like him, and there might be a way back. Until then, he has to pay the bills.”
Recently, Coote also completed the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to raise money for motor neurone disease, showing a glimpse of the positive steps he’s trying to take.
The Controversies That Ended a Promising Refereeing Career
Coote’s downfall began in November when a video leaked showing him calling Klopp a “German ****,” a highly offensive remark following Liverpool’s controversial draw against Burnley in 2020.
Days later, another clip showed him allegedly using cocaine during Euro 2024, which led UEFA to suspend him from officiating European matches.
Further complications arose when the FA launched a betting investigation concerning messages Coote allegedly exchanged before a 2019 match involving Leeds United.
Though he denies any wrongdoing, the probe added to the scrutiny around him.
A Difficult Battle with Personal Demons
In a heartfelt interview earlier this year, Coote opened up about how shame over his sexuality contributed to his struggles with drug use.
He revealed that hiding his true self led to emotional pain that he tried to escape through substance abuse.
“I felt a deep sense of shame growing up. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21 and to my friends until I was 25,” he said.
“I hid my emotions and my sexuality, which might have helped me as a referee, but as a person, it was damaging. This led to a series of behaviours I regret.”
The Rise and Fall of a Football Official
Coote’s refereeing career began at 14 as a linesman, steadily climbing the ranks to the Football League list by 2010.
His first major match was the 2014 League One play-off final at Wembley.
In 2018, he reached the Premier League stage and even earned a FIFA listing from 2020 until early 2022.
Yet despite reaching such heights, those moments have now been overshadowed by his recent troubles and the very public way his career unraveled.