When Ryan Mason leads Tottenham to Southampton on Wednesday night, he will be the youngest manager in Premier League history.
That in itself is remarkable, even in the current news climate. However, dive a little deeper into Mason’s past and it will soon become clear that this is a truly remarkable story. Born in Enfield, just a half-hour drive from White Hart Lane, Mason joined the Spurs Academy at just eight.
Mason during his playing days BEN STANSALL / Getty Images
He took the lead steadily and enjoyed a UEFA Cup appearance against NEC Nijmegen in 2008. A number of lower league loans followed such as Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall, while he also had a time with the French club Lorient. .
His big break came at the start of the 2014/2015 season when he caught the eye of the upcoming Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino. Waspish, committed and tireless, while having a nice technique, it is no surprise that Pochettino became so preoccupied with the midfielder. He ended up 31 times in the Premier League that season, did once and struck out with four assists.
The following campaign also had its moments, although he would largely be off the sidelines after the arrival of Dele Alli from MK Dons. With first-time opportunities for a prize, Mason would end his 17-year association with his boyfriend club by moving to Hull City. The move seemed like a good thing for both parties, with the Tigers differing with a club record fee to secure the young talent’s services.
SO, we have a cup final this weekend, a boys fan as manager, we are five points out of 4th and the Super League is in mud.
Quite like football again
– Hunter Godson (@HunterGodson) April 20, 2021
But several months later, things would become nightmarish in a game against Chelsea. After teaming up with Gary Cahill, Mason suffered a head injury. 13 months later, the injury forced him to retire.
For other less determined players, this adversity would have taken some time to overcome. Not Mason, though. Less than two months after announcing his retirement, he joined the Spurs coaching team. Since then, he has been on a fairly upward trajectory and has gone from under-19 manager to head of player development, while assisting with the first team.
Speaking to The Athletic in August, Chris Ramsey, who helped bring Mason through the ranks, eerily predicted: “Do not be surprised if he stops becoming a first-team coach somewhere – he is a genuine teacher of the game. He is the boss? Why not “I think he’s more of a coach but who’s to say?”
Mason and Powell will be in the excavation for the rest of the season Julian Finney / Getty Images
As it turns out, Ramsey’s prediction came earlier than he might have imagined, with Mason handing over the government until the end of the season following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho on Monday. The fact that he got the manager’s job over coach Chris Powell tells about how high he gets grades in the club.
Although he has never had a permanent job in the Premier League, Powell is an experienced manager who enjoys a successful time at Charlton Athletic as well as mixed stints at Huddersfield Town and Southend.
Mason who gets the nod over this safe pair of hands can lead to something more. If Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get top jobs with such limited experience, what will stop him from entering the hot seat permanently if he proves his worth in north London?
Following the departure of Jose Mourinho, we can now confirm that Ryan Mason will take over as Interim Head Coach for the rest of the season. # THFC ⚪️ # COYS
– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 20, 2021
With Spurs ‘best choice for the job, Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers and Max Allegri seemingly out of reach, the cheaper option for Mason who’ understands Spurs ‘DNA’ can appeal to Levy – especially with Super League money disappearing in a puff of official club statements.
A win over Southampton – a team managed by a man on Spurs’ long list of leading candidates – would be a good start to prove his merits. Leading their boys’ club to their first cutlery since 2008 would be even better.
