Max Dowman’s dad Robert criticised ex-Arsenal coach Temisan Williams after he appeared on talkSPORT billed as the wonderkid’s ‘former coach’, following the teen’s record breaking Premier League goal
A coach who stood accused of capitalising on Max Dowman’s achievements has issued an apology after being confronted by the Arsenal sensation’s dad.
Dowman’s tale has been catapulted into the limelight following his record-breaking feat as the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer at the weekend. The 16-year-old netted a counter-attacking strike to clinch Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
While the promising winger has appeared on multiple occasions for Mikel Arteta’s squad this campaign, his goal saw his fame reach new levels. Amid the headlines surrounding Dowman’s milestone, Temisan Williams was invited onto talkSPORT, where he was presented as “Dowman’s former coach”.
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Despite only asserting he had been “a small part of his journey”, Williams’ radio appearance irked the teenager’s father, reports the Mirror. Robert Dowman posted on X: “Listening to this guy Temisan Williams claiming he was any part of Max’s journey is a really a sad piece of attempted self promotion.
“I have asked him previously to refrain from doing so but still he pops up on Talk Sport this morning… I remember him putting the cones out at training a few times but that’s about it. We have so many fabulous coaches who we are so grateful to. He is certainly not one of them……”
Williams has now responded with his own statement. He posted on X: “Following Rob Dowman’s comments today: I have spoken with Rob Dowman and apologised to him and his family.
“Going forward, I will not be discussing Max Dowman’s development. I wish Rob Dowman and his family nothing but continued success.”
Dowman was surrounded by his team-mates after displaying tremendous composure to beat two Everton players and slot home into an empty net following Jordan Pickford’s venture upfield for a corner in the dying moments.
His strike saw him surpass James Vaughan’s record from 2005 as the youngest player to find the net in the Premier League.
Williams, whose social media bio states he has worked at Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham, featured on talkSPORT alongside Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor on Monday morning to provide perspective on Dowman’s emergence.
He said: “It’s an incredible thing that Max has done, it’s brilliant for his family, the academy, the club, and the fans. He should just enjoy the moment, which I know he did.
“I should start by saying, scouts have done a fantastic job. I was the Under-12s assistant coach. I was also able to see Max for two years, so a small part of his journey, but Max has always had that super strength of being able to carry the ball. That’s always been something he’s enjoyed, something he’s strong at and something we saw in training.”
A previous post on Robert Dowman’s X account makes clear who he does regard as being key to his son’s development at Arsenal: the club’s academy scout Johnny Knight. He said: “Proud day for us. Nothing would have been possible without this guy.”
“Thank you Johnny Knight,” he penned. “Spotted Max as a four-year-old and took him into Arsenal. Best scout in the business and an even better person. Johnny Knight.”