Temisan Williams, who has coached at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham’s academies and runs a coaching business, was interviewed on TalkSport following Dowman’s match-winning performance against Everton on Saturday.
Williams described how he was the under-12s assistant coach at Arsenal and played a part in Dowman’s journey through the academy.
In posts on social media, Dowman’s father Robert said that it was “verging on fraud” for Williams to claim he had contributed to the youngster’s development.
“Listening to this guy Temisan Williams claiming he was any part of Max’s journey is a really sad piece of attempted self-promotion,” wrote Robert Dowman.
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…
— Robert Dowman (@RDowman) March 16, 2026
“I have asked him previously to refrain from doing so, but still he pops up on TalkSport 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.”
In another post, he added: “Temisan Williams claiming he has in any way contributed to Max’s development is verging on fraud… he will be using platforms to promote himself as Max’s coach to increase his profile under false pretences.”
Hi thank you for reaching out. Thank you very much for the opportunity but I won’t be offering comments or interviews. It’s not about me. One piece of advice will give you is that Temisan Williams claiming he has in any way contributed to Maxs development is verging on Fraud. I…
— Robert Dowman (@RDowman) March 16, 2026
On Monday evening, Williams said he had apologised to the Dowman family and will not be interviewed about the Arsenal player again.
“I have spoken with Rob Dowman and apologised to him and his family,” said Williams.
“Going forward, I will not be discussing Max Dowman’s development.
“I wish Rob Dowman and his family nothing but continued success.”
Dowman’s goal against Everton, which made him the youngest scorer in Premier League history, has increased the focus on a teenager who is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in the European game.
The 16-year-old will hope to have a similar impact on Arsenal’s Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, with the score currently at 1-1 after last week’s game in Germany.
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has challenged Dowman to switch his focus to the next game after his heroics on Saturday.
“To do what he did in such a moment is very rare to see or impossible, almost,” said Arteta. “He’s done it and now it’s football, and what you’ve done a few days ago is not relevant anymore. It’s about the next one.”