David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has been filmed working as a delivery driver for Evri, a major UK courier service. The 42-year-old, who was sacked by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2024 and is currently serving a 16-month UEFA suspension, was captured on a couple’s Ring doorbell footage delivering parcels near his home in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Coote, who officiated over 100 Premier League matches, told The Sun, “I’m just trying to make an honest living,” emphasizing that the job is not a long-term career move but a way to move forward with his life.
The footage, which surfaced on June 2, 2025, shows Coote dropping off a package, a stark contrast to his previous high-profile role on the football pitch. His transition to parcel delivery follows a turbulent period that began with a controversial video in which he was recorded using derogatory language to describe former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, calling him a “German c***.” The clip, which emerged from last summer’s Euros, was followed by separate footage allegedly showing Coote snorting cocaine, leading to his dismissal from refereeing and the UEFA ban that extends until June 2026. In January, Coote publicly expressed remorse, stating, “The drugs happened on an ad-hoc basis. It fills me with a huge sense of shame.”
The homeowner who received the parcel, a Liverpool fan, recognized Coote and expressed disapproval over his past remarks about Klopp. “My husband’s a Liverpool fan, and what David said didn’t go down well,” she told the Daily Star. Despite the controversy, some have shown sympathy for Coote’s attempt to rebuild. A source close to him told The Irish Sun, “David’s a great lad who lost his career through stupidity, as he fully acknowledges.” They suggested he might eventually return to football in some capacity, noting the sport’s need for experienced officials.
Coote’s new role comes amid broader scrutiny of Evri, which has faced criticism for delivery issues, including a report from the Daily Mail on February 19, 2025, stating the company expects to fail to deliver 22,000 parcels daily, totaling eight million annually. Despite such challenges, Coote’s appearance as a courier has drawn significant attention, with posts on X reflecting mixed sentiments. Some users, like@misspaulalondon, defended his efforts, stating, “The man made a mistake but is now trying to earn a living so should be left alone. At least he isn’t claiming benefits—a job is a job.” Others, however, focused on the irony of a former Premier League official taking up such a different line of work.
Evri has not commented on Coote’s employment, but the company is currently navigating a high-profile merger with DHL’s UK e-commerce division, announced on May 14, 2025, which aims to create one of the UK’s largest delivery firms, handling over one billion parcels and letters annually. For now, Coote appears focused on his new role, telling The Sun, “I’m doing what I want to do, focusing on what’s important like spending more time with friends and family.” Whether this marks a temporary chapter or a longer-term shift, Coote’s story underscores a dramatic fall from grace and an attempt to forge a new path.