Ryan Mason is expecting a reaction from Tottenham’s players to their 6-1 defeat against Newcastle when they face Manchester United on Thursday, with the caretaker manager insisting he can help steady the ship after stepping in to replace Cristian Stellini after his sacking from the same role.
Mason has resumed the role he filled two years ago following José Mourinho’s sacking as the manager, prior to Spurs’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City. That made the then 29-year-old the youngest manager in Premier League history. He went on to win four of six league games in charge.
While Mason feels more ready for his promotion this time around having worked as an assistant to Antonio Conte, he admittedthe circumstances surrounding the defeat at St James’ Park on Sunday, which has resulted in Spurs’s players refunding the cost of tickets for supporters who made the trip to the north-east, means it is vital they respond against United.
“Obviously Sunday was disappointing for us and I would hope and expect there’s a reaction from not only the players but everyone in the building and everyone involved in the club as well,” he said. “I understand that relationship [with the fans] has wavered recently but there’s no doubt we need them and want them on board, and hopefully Thursday they can feel us.”
Mason has brought Matt Wells, Tottenham’s former academy director and the grandson of the playing legend Cliff Jones, back to the club from Bournemouth to be assistant head coach, while the academy coach Nigel Gibbs has been promoted to first-team coach. Despite his relative young age Mason, a former Spurs midfielder who was forced to retire in 2018 after suffering a fractured skull playing for Hull, believes he has grown as a coach since his first spell.
“A lot has happened in the last two years but I feel fine and ready in this situation,” he said. “I have spent a lot of time on the grass, but, probably more importantly for me, the people I have worked with and come across have accelerated my growth as an individual. It’s hard to change a great deal but I would hope and expect towards the end of the season that everyone, nt only inside but outside, will see my stamp and our stamp on the group.”
Mason insisted that he is only focused on his role until the end of the season but sounded hopeful about potentially being considered for the permanent manager’s position should he prove successful in the six games he has in charge until the end of the season, starting with the visit of United.
“I’ve always lived in a way which is to deal with what is happening right now and never take your eye off the ball,” he said. “I’m ready for this situation and I feel like the players know I’m ready as well. The focus is on these next six games and then in the summer we will see what the best situation is for the football club.”
