The 4th official

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

Every time I see managers ranting in their ears, I wonder how did we manage before they were introduced ?
All I see now is demented managers, who previously had to suck up perceived injustices by referees, but now lo and behold, there’s another official right next to them to vent their anger.
Do they actually think doing this is going to make any difference to the on field decisions ?
It seems to me that his very existence next to both managers, exacerbates the situation every single game.
The referees are now all miked up, and in contact with their linesmen / women/ assistants, so what’s the point of the 4th official ?
Get rid, and pay someone on minimum wage to hold up the electronic board.
Job done.

 

[Darran]

Every time I see managers ranting in their ears, I wonder how did we manage before they were introduced ?
All I see now is demented managers, who previously had to suck up perceived injustices by referees, but now lo and behold, there’s another official right next to them to vent their anger.
Do they actually think doing this is going to make any difference to the on field decisions ?
It seems to me that his very existence next to both managers, exacerbates the situation every single game.
The referees are now all miked up, and in contact with their linesmen / women/ assistants, so what’s the point of the 4th official ?
Get rid, and pay someone on minimum wage to hold up the electronic board.
Job done.

I sit right next to the home dugout and we probably say the same thing every game.

 

[Pegojack]

They've got lots of duties including supervising subs, liasing with both staffs during the match, supervising match balls, etc.

I know what you mean about getting grief from managers though. If you look at the last minute or two of the Blackburn extended highlights, the final whistle goes, Ishmael grudgingly shakes Sheehan's hand, then turns to the fourth official (who ironically I think is our big mate Bobby Madeley) and there is a heated exchange of words, no doubt about their penalty claim. Wish I was a lip reader.