SACKED Prem referee David Coote may make a sensational return to football — as a VAR instructor, his friends said.
The 42-year-old, lauded for his honesty over his cocaine shame, could use his vast experience to help younger officials.
Despite his career being torpedoed, Coote is keen to stay in football, although possibly not as a ref.
A source close to him said: “He’s built up an incredible wealth of knowledge and skill. It would be a massive shame if that was lost because of mistakes he made while under moments of incredible stress.
“He still gets on with all the other referees and I could see him taking a role somewhere. He’d be perfect as a VAR pundit or expert.”
In an exclusive interview in yesterday’s Sun, Coote said he was scared to come out as gay and took coke to “escape”.
He was fired after footage emerged of him snorting the class-A drug at Euro 2024.
However thousands of fans debated a possible return yesterday after he opened up about the “pressure cooker” of suppressed emotion, plus a punishing work schedule.
Paul Field, chairman of the Referees’ Association, said he hoped Coote is able to remain in English football.
He said: “The work he does with young people is exemplary. He’s an unbelievable tutor. He puts so much time and effort into the up-and-coming grassroots officials.
“I’d love him to be part of the FA, training, mentoring, out of the public light to look after himself. He has so much to offer.”
Coote was among the UK’s top three VAR exponents — and one of a select few English officials called up for international matches.
Coote himself said he would love to come back.
He added: “Whether it would be with a whistle in my hand would be another matter. Certainly not for me to judge. But in terms of utilising my experience I hope there is an opportunity to do so in some way.”
He revealed he was “not sober” when he called former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “c***” in shocking footage.
And he also told how he got sickening abuse as a ref, including messages hoping he was paralysed in a car crash.
Gay rugby referee Nigel Owens yesterday supported Coote for hiding his sexuality.
The 53-year-old was suicidal over fears of repercussions before coming out in 2007.
He went on to officiate major games including the 2015 World Cup Final.
Owens said: “Homophobia remains a problem in all sports.”
He went on: “When you are struggling with your identity, it’s a very difficult and sometimes very dark place.
"You will go to the extent of trying to deal with those demons and mental health issues in ways we’ve seen David Coote give examples of.”