Max Dowman’s father hits out at former Arsenal coach over taking credit for developing son | OneFootball

The father of 16-year-old Arsenal starlet Max Dowman has hit out at a former coach over his claims to have played a role in the teenager’s rise.

Temisan Williams, a former under-12s assistant coach at Arsenal who now runs a coaching business, gave an interview to TalkSport in which he took some of the credit for developing the youngster as he progressed through the academy.

Dowman has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Arsenal, most recently coming off the bench to score a remarkable goal in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Everton, becoming the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer in the process.

His father took to social media to condemn Williams’ comments, saying it was “verging on fraud” for him to claim he played a role in Dowman’s rise and that his comments were intended to “increase his profile under false pretences”.

He wrote: “Listening to this guy Temisan Williams claiming he was any part of Max’s journey is a really sad piece of attempted self-promotion.

“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.”

He later 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.”

Williams later said he had apologised to the Dowman family and would no longer be speaking in interviews about the teenager.

He said: “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 has enjoyed increased publicity since playing a starring role in the win over Everton but Arsenal are careful of managing expectations around the youngster, who is yet to take his GCSEs, and protecting him from overexposure.

Asked after the game if he had made his case for starting, boss Mikel Arteta said: “Let’s come down to earth today and enjoy the moment, because it was intense and it was worth it and we will see tomorrow.”