Spurs’ high hopes for Mason’s coaching future

Even if the time may not be now, Tottenham Hotspur have high hopes for the coaching future of former midfielder Ryan Mason.
Mason had already been impressing within the club’s academy, promoted from a role working with the U18s and managing the U19s in the UEFA Youth League to a more wide ranging role as Head of Player Development for Spurs’ U17s to U23s.
However, it was his ability in stepping up at just 29-years-old into a chaotic situation at the club that showed everyone that he could handle the pressure and the players enjoyed working in his training sessions, which had some inspiration from his mentor Mauricio Pochettino.
He also coolly handled difficult topics off the pitch with the media in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s exit, with Spurs’ involvement in the controversial Super League, protests from the club’s fans, plus constant questions over Harry Kane and Gareth Bale’s future.
His critics among the Tottenham fans felt his team selections were too safe and bemoaned the absence of Tanguy Ndombele and Joe Rodon, who had been playing regularly under Mourinho.
Mason also struggled – as Mourinho did – in getting Bale out consistently on the pitch, the Welshman indicating that he was unable to start three matches, including that Carabao Cup final, during his interim leadership.
Yet on paper, the young interim head coach managed to win four of his six Premier League matches, including a dramatic final-day victory at the King Power Stadium to destroy Leicester City’s Champions League dreams and book Spurs a place in the Europa Conference League.
The cup final at Wembley was a disappointment, although with many fans anticipating an embarrassing scoreline it took Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side 82 minutes to break down a resolute Spurs defence to win the game by a solitary Aymeric Laporte goal.
Tottenham’s attack was disappointing on the day, not least Kane, who scored just twice during the six games he was available for his close friend Mason, the two heading off on holiday together after the season’s end.
Kane’s more disappointing showings came amid speculation about his future and that interview with Gary Neville, released ahead of the defeat against Aston Villa, when the striker was particularly off colour and that took Europa League qualification out of Spurs’ control.
In fact it was Bale, despite his lack of availability to start towards the end of the season, who came through for Mason with six goals in those seven games, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United.
What next for former England international Mason, who turned 30 this month, after his taste of Premier League management?
Some Tottenham fans have been speculating about his Instagram posts this week which speak about “looking forward to being back on the grass coaching” and his “last bit of downtime before pre-season”.
football.london understands that – at this point – Mason has not been asked to work with the first team and his role in youth development includes him working with the academy age groups on the club’s Hotspur Way pitches.
The first fortnight of first team training each pre-season is all geared around fitness work and taken by the sports science team, who are preparing for the non-international players’ return next Monday (July 5).
If Tottenham were to switch their attentions away from Nuno Espirito Santo, who they have held talks with, to an international manager currently at work at either the Euros or Copa America then Mason could well be asked to help out again during the later stages of pre-season but at this stage he has not.
The key decision for Mason will be when to take the step permanently into first team management. His games in charge of Bale & Co last season will look good on his CV but his first permanent job could define the direction the rest of his management career takes.
Tottenham’s academy sides have proved to be a breeding ground in recent seasons for Football League coaches.
Scott Parker went from U18s boss to Fulham first team coach and eventually manager, with his successor at Spurs, Matthew Wells, later joining him as his assistant manager.
Then last month Matt Taylor left his role with the U18s to become the new head coach of League Two side Walsall.
It’s very early days for Mason, younger than all of them, and he has time on his hands and does not need to rush into his first managerial job.
“[I’ve learned] lots,” he said in his final week in charge. “I’m learning every day. I’ve learnt so much stuff, even when I’m with my kids in the garden I’m learning stuff about how to act with them.
“It’s normal as people that we keep learning. There’s so much I’ve learnt of course and I’d be very silly if I didn’t take some things from this experience.
“A lot has happened in this five weeks, a hell of a lot to be honest, and I feel like it’s something that maybe once the season is over I will sit and reflect on if I could have done this better or that better.
“In the moment, I feel like I’ve handled it with instinct and I think that’s the key thing to take from it. You’ve got to go with what you feel and what you believe in within those moments.”
When asked whether he wanted to be Tottenham’s permanent manager one day, Mason added: “My personal ambitions I have to put aside at this moment. I don’t really want to think about what I want or need.
(Football London)
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