Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has expressed that his consultancy position with Nottingham Forest ultimately proved to be counterproductive.
The 49-year-old was appointed as a referee analyst by Forest in February but resigned from the role just three months later.
Clattenburg’s decision to step down followed his authorship of a column in the Mail on Sunday, where he criticized decisions made during Nottingham Forest’s loss to Everton in April as a “joke.”
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams faced misconduct charges for their comments following the defeat. Additionally, Forest issued a statement post-match, indicating that they had alerted the referees’ governing body, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), regarding video assistant referee Stuart Attwell’s alleged support for relegation rivals Luton Town, suggesting that he should have been replaced.
Asked if his role at the club was a success, Clattenburg told Radio 5Live: “No, because if you look it caused more problems than it did good.
“There were certain things that we implemented within the club, certain ways to give a sporting edge to Nottingham Forest, but there seemed to be a huge outcry from certain people, certain bodies, certain companies. It was just highlighted week in, week out.”
Clattenburg added there was a “misinterpretation” of his role at the club, and that his scope was wider than simply advising the club on issues about refereeing.
Forest survived relegation from the Premier League, finishing 17th and six points above Luton.