Ryan Mason ‘ready’ to become permanent Tottenham manager as he targets Man Utd win
‘I know I’m ready!’: Ryan Mason throws in his hat to become Tottenham’s new PERMANENT manager…
- Ryan Mason, 31, has set his sights on becoming Tottenham’s full-time manager
- Mason was appointed interim Spurs boss after Cristian Stellini was fired
- But he is fully focused on beating United in his second stint as interim boss
Ryan Mason began his second stint as acting head coach of Tottenham with a statement that he was ready for the role and open to the idea of taking it on permanently.
“I feel comfortable, I feel ready,” Mason said ahead of his first game at home against Manchester United on Thursday. ‘I do not doubt that. You have to be ready and I’m ready.’
Asked what has changed since stepping into a similar role two years ago and taking on interim leadership following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, the 31-year-old said: “Probably just confirmation that I’m ready. We got it right two years ago. A lot has happened in two years, but I feel good and I feel ready in this situation.”
About the permanent job, he said: ‘Honestly, I feel ready. I know I’m ready. Of course, if that situation arises, it means that we have done a good job.
“That’s fast-forward four or five weeks. The immediate thought is Thursday’s game and Sunday’s game. We’ve got a big week and a good five weeks before anyone in here starts thinking about that situation.’
Ryan Mason (above) wants to become Tottenham’s full-time manager after being appointed interim boss following the sacking of Cristian Stellini
The former midfielder was appointed Spurs interim manager in the wake of Stellini’s (above) sacking following a 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle
Mason previously took charge of Tottenham on an interim basis following the sacking of Jose Mourinho
When he took over in 2021 at the age of 29, Mason became the youngest manager to take charge of a Premier League game. He won four and lost three, including the League Cup final at Wembley against Manchester City.
“I’ve been coaching for six years, which I think is a long time,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time on grass, but, probably more importantly for me, the people I’ve worked with and encountered have accelerated my growth as an individual.
“There are many people I trust and value their opinion in this training center and beyond, with whom I am always in touch.”
Mason returned to a role in the academy as head of player development when Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed as Mourinho’s permanent successor in the summer of 2021.
But Nuno was sacked in November and replaced by Antonio Conte, who promoted Mason back to a first-team coaching role, working under the Italian and, in the last four games, under Cristian Stellini, who took over temporary charge when Conte was fired and was himself fired on Sunday after the 6-1 defeat at Newcastle.
“A reaction,” said Mason, when asked what he wanted to see against Manchester United. ‘Absolutely a reaction. Sunday was clearly disappointing for us and I hope and expect that there will be a reaction not only from the players, but also from everyone in the building and everyone involved in the club.’
However, Mason is fully focused on beating Man United in his second spell as interim boss