Mark Clattenburg revealed which derby in English football was his favourite to referee in the latest episode of the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast.
The former referee took charge of nearly 300 Premier League matches during his 27-year career in football.
Beyond England, Clattenburg took charge of the 2016 Champions League Final and the Euro final between Portugal and France.
Though the boyhood Newcastle fan praised the ‘unique’ Tyne-Wear derby, Clattenburg selected another hotly contested fixture as his favourite derby in England.
‘The derby I always looked forward to was Liverpool against Manchester United’, Clattenburg told the podcast.
‘With other derbies, like Tottenham versus Arsenal, the players would be too friendly with each other before the game – kissing and cuddling. They were all neighbours, all friends. But Liverpool-United was different.
Mark Clattenburg revealed which derby in English football was his favourite to referee in the latest episode of the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast
Mark Clattenburg: ‘Those derbies were just so ferocious.’ Listen here
‘The history was amazing to be a part of, but it was the players that made it special. They would not speak to each other in the tunnel. They would not speak to each other during the team exchange.
‘There was just no love lost between that set of players. That of course, affected England at tournaments – there were no friendships, no team spirit.
‘Those derbies were just so ferocious.’
Clattenburg took charge of the controversial 2014 Liverpool-United derby where Liverpool won 3-0 at Old Trafford after being awarded three penalties.
The referee caused further upset after sending off Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic for a tackle on Daniel Sturridge that video replays later showed involved no contact.
The result proved the final straw for United’s board, who sacked manager David Moyes two days later.
Clattenburg gave an honourable mention to the Birmingham derby, particularly when played at St. Andrews.
He argued that, from his refereeing experience, derby matches were more atmospheric when hosted by the ‘smaller’ team in a city.
‘I love refereeing Birmingham-Aston Villa too’, Clattenburg told co-host and broadcaster Gordon Smart.
Clattenburg gave an honourable mention to the Birmingham derby, particularly when played at St. Andrews
Rory Jennings agreed that the Birmingham derby deserved an honourable mention but described The Old Firm as the undisputed best derby in Britain
The Old Firm sees Celtic and Rangers clash in a rivalry steeped in centuries-old religious, political and social divides
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‘It always seemed to me that the games hosted by the club that hasn’t been as successful were more atmospheric.
‘Everton-Liverpool for example, that game was always harder at Goodison – same with Tottenham-Arsenal at White Hart Lane.’
Clattenburg and Smart were joined this week by football influencer and Chelsea fan Rory Jennings.
Jennings agreed that the Birmingham derby deserved an honourable mention but described The Old Firm as the undisputed best derby in Britain.
The Old Firm sees Celtic and Rangers clash in a rivalry steeped in centuries-old religious, political and social divides.
‘There are these hipsters who say River Plate versus Boca Juniors’, Jennings said.
‘But for me, there is only one right answer – The Old Firm derby, Rangers versus Celtic. From what I’ve experienced – there is nothing like what happens in Glasgow on derby day.’
To hear Rory Jennings and Mark Clattenburg battle it out over who can construct the best all-time eleven, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
