A coach accused of capitalising on Max Dowman's success has issued an apology after being confronted by the Arsenal star's father. Dowman's story has been propelled into the limelight after he became the Premier League's youngest goalscorer over the weekend.
The 16-year-old netted a counter-attack goal to secure Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday. Although the promising winger has made several appearances for Mikel Arteta's team this season, his goal elevated his status to a new height. In the wake of Dowman's accomplishment, Temisan Williams was invited to speak on talkSPORT, where he was introduced as "Dowman's former coach".
Despite only claiming to have been "a small part of his journey", Williams' appearance on the radio station irked the young player's father.
Robert Dowman posted on X: "Listening to this bloke Temisan Williams claiming he was any part of Max's journey is 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 setting out the cones at training a few times but that's about it. We have so many fantastic coaches who we are so grateful to. He is certainly not one of them......"
Williams has now issued his own statement in response. He wrote 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 remarkable composure to beat two Everton players and slot into an empty net after Jordan Pickford had come up for a corner late in the game.
By finding the net, he surpassed James Vaughan's record from 2005 as the youngest player to score in the Premier League.
Williams, whose social media profile states he has coached at Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham, featured on talkSPORT with Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor on Monday morning to provide insight into Dowman's progression.
"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," he said.
"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 consider as being crucial to his son's development at Arsenal: the club's academy scout Johnny Knight.
He wrote: "Proud day for us. Nothing would of been possible without this guy. Thank you Johnny Knight. Spotted Max as a four year old and took him into Arsenal. Best scout in the business and even better person. Johnny Knight."