‘I’m just trying to make an honest living’ says ex-official caught on doorbell camera seven months after cocaine scandal and Klopp rant
Sacked Premier League referee David Coote has been spotted working as a delivery driver for courier firm Evri – just seven months after his spectacular fall from grace over videos showing him snorting white powder and calling Jurgen Klopp a “German c***”.
The 42-year-old, who once officiated the biggest matches in English football including a Carabao Cup final at Wembley, was caught on doorbell camera footage delivering parcels near his home in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
In a remarkable twist of fate, the disgraced official – who is serving a 16-month UEFA ban that runs until June 2026 – found himself at the doorstep of a shocked Liverpool fan who instantly recognised him.
Speaking candidly when approached about his new role, Coote insisted: “I’m just trying to make an honest living. I want to get on with my life.”
FALL FROM GRACE
Coote’s dramatic downfall began in November 2024 when a video emerged showing him in an expletive-laden rant about Liverpool and their former manager Klopp, whom he branded an “arrogant German c***.
Days later, The Sun published photographs allegedly showing him snorting a white substance during Euro 2024, where he was working as an assistant VAR.
The PGMOL launched an immediate investigation and by December, Coote was sacked for “serious breach” of his employment contract, with his position deemed “untenable.
UEFA followed suit in February 2025, banning him from all football activities until June 2026 for bringing “the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute.
‘TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD’
Now swapping the pressure of Anfield and Old Trafford for the streets of Nottinghamshire, Coote appears determined to rebuild his life away from football’s spotlight.
“I’m trying to move forwards and regain a sense of responsibility and purpose,” he told reporters. “The job is keeping me busy and occupied, it’s not a new long-term career.
I’m doing what I want to do, focusing on what’s important like spending more time with friends and family.”
DOORSTEP SHOCK
The homeowner who received a delivery from Coote couldn’t hide their surprise at finding the former Premier League official at their door.
My husband’s a Liverpool fan and what David said didn’t go down well,” they revealed. It’s his own downfall, at the end of the day. David got himself into this mess.”
The doorbell footage, which has since gone viral, shows Coote in Evri uniform calmly handing over a package – a far cry from his days commanding respect at Premier League stadiums.
MARATHON EFFORT
Despite his professional disgrace, Coote has been trying to channel his energy into positive causes. In May 2025, he participated in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, raising money for his uncle Mick who suffers from motor neurone disease.
The charity run came after rugby league legend Burrow’s death from MND in June 2024, with Coote joining thousands in honouring his memory while supporting a cause close to his own family.
‘DARK DAYS’ AND COMING OUT
In an emotional interview earlier this year, Coote opened up about his struggles, revealing he had hidden his sexuality throughout his refereeing career due to fear of abuse.
I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well – a good quality as a referee, but a terrible quality as a human being,” he admitted.
The 42-year-old, who came out as gay in January 2025, described experiencing “dark days” including suicidal thoughts and panic attacks following the scandal.
He also admitted to using drugs as an “escape route” from the pressures of officiating, though insisted he was “not sober” when making the inflammatory comments about Klopp.
Despite the public humiliation, friends believe Coote could eventually return to football in some capacity.
“David’s a great lad who lost his career through stupidity, as he fully acknowledges,” one friend said. There might be a return for him to the game at some point, and football definitely needs experts like him. Until then he obviously has to pay the bills.”
Some have suggested he could work as a VAR instructor, with sources claiming: “He still gets on with all the other referees and I could see him taking a role somewhere. He has so much to offer.”
CAREER STATISTICS
During his Premier League career, Coote officiated:
- 112 Premier League matches
- 143 Championship games
- 2023 Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle
- Multiple European Championship matches
PUBLIC REACTION
The revelation of Coote’s new job has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some defending his right to earn a living while others showed little sympathy.
“He’s trying to get on with his life after making a mistake,” one supporter wrote. “Fair play to him for working rather than hiding away.”
However, Liverpool fans were less forgiving, with one commenting: “From VAR to delivering parcels – karma works in mysterious ways.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Coote’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the pressures facing match officials and the consequences of professional misconduct in the social media age.
His transition from officiating in front of 75,000 fans to delivering packages door-to-door represents one of football’s most dramatic career reversals.
As he continues to serve his UEFA ban with more than a year remaining, the question remains whether football will ever welcome back a man whose moment of madness cost him everything.
For now, residents of Newark might find themselves doing a double-take when their doorbell rings – it could be a former Premier League referee with their latest online order.
