New interim Spurs manager Ryan Mason admitted he and former manager Mauricio Pochettino have already exchanged messages in his first press conference since his appointment following Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Mason, 29, earned the trust of the now PSG manager back in the 2014-15 season, and became a fan favourite at the club having graduated from the youth academy.
OFFICIAL: Tottenham have confirmed that Ryan Mason will be interim head coach until the end of the season.
He’s just 29 years old, and has been coaching at the club since being forced into retirement through injury in 2018. pic.twitter.com/ohVzvKcTyX
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 20, 2021
Now, Spurs fans will be hoping that the former Hull City midfielder will take inspiration from his former manager and reinstate exciting and attacking football instead of defensive and park-the-bus performances.
“I have exchanged a couple of messages with Mauricio and a couple of the other staff from his team as well,” Mason said.
“He’s very busy, understandably, but we’ve always had a great relationship, he loves this club as well, he wished me all the best and I’m sure we’ll be in contact in future as well.
Mauricio Pochettino on Ryan Mason in his book 'Brave New World'… 📕#THFC pic.twitter.com/zCHTqYqmcV
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) April 19, 2021
“There are many different emotions going through my body at the moment but probably the most important one is pride.”
Mason made just 70 appearances for the club between the 2008-09 season and the 2016-17 season, scoring four goals as he was sent out on loan five different times before he could make his breakthrough at the club as a first team player.
“I’ve been associated with this club for over 20 years and it’s been a very important time in my life,” the 29-year-old added.
“I feel very proud! “I feel like I’ve got an excellent connection with the fans which I feel is important so, yeah, there’s a lot of pride in being given this opportunity to help this great football club.”
Ryan Mason would have never played for Tottenham in the Premier League if it wasn't for Mauricio Pochettino.
Poch developed him, showed faith in him, ignited a fire in him and put the armband on him.
Forget about the last 17 months and carry on the legacy, @RyanMason 💪 pic.twitter.com/YWjU6G37jF
— Jamie Ralph (@ModernLepra) April 20, 2021
Mason has been chucked in at the deep end, as he will take charge for tomorrow’s game against Southampton and then he will be preparing the team for the League Cup Final against Manchester City this weekend.
“It’s crazy. It’s football. I’ve had it as a player. Obviously I’ve had the experience of having to retire in this game. Anything can happen and you just have to be prepared and ready for what football can throw at you at times,” continued Mason.
29-year old Ryan Mason will become the youngest manager in Premier League history when he takes charge of Tottenham this week. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/9DXd6t7bsT
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 20, 2021
“I think it helps that I know a lot of the lads and have good relationships but listen, it’s a really good group of guys.
“They’re professional and work hard so that’s all you ask for as a coach. They’re willing to learn, willing to work and it’s something to look forward to.”
Hopefully, our fanbase can get fully behind Mason and give him the support particularly as a young and fairly inexperienced manager and maybe we could find ourselves finishing this season on a high.