Howard Webb retires: Referee calls time on career to take up PGMOL technical director role

Webb brings an end to his 25-year refereeing career

Howard Webb in action during the recent World Cup in Brazil (Getty Images)

Howard Webb has retired from refereeing after being appointed Technical Director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Webb, who officiated the 2010 World Cup and Champions League finals, will now be responsible for overseeing the technical direction and standards that govern the on-field performance of PGMOL’s match officials.

"I am very excited to start this new chapter in my career after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch," Webb said. "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 UEFA and FIFA tournaments, and taken charge of the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals.

"Refereeing has given me so much and 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 the best place for me to do that is with PGMOL. It’s an incredibly positive working environment and we all have a common goal of improving refereeing.

He added: "Over the last five years in particular we have made huge strides in terms of our accuracy, fitness and professionalism. The current Select Group are the best referees this country has ever produced and I am thrilled that I not only get the chance to continue working with them but also the opportunity to help develop the next generation of Select Group officials.