Ryan Mason says his “biggest job” as Tottenham’s latest acting head coach is to restore unity at the club and rebuild the connection with the fans.
There is set to be a hostile atmosphere in Thursday night’s visit of Manchester United following Spurs’ 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle on Sunday, which prompted chairman Daniel Levy to dismiss Cristian Stellini and put Mason in charge for the final six games of the campaign.
Supporters are likely to vent their frustration at Levy en masse this evening, while their last home game, a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, was marred by fans turning on defender Davinson Sanchez.
Mason, who has thrown his hat into the ring for the permanent job, is a fan-favourite at Spurs after coming through the club’s academy and says his priority is to give supporters a reason to get behind the team again.
“The fans know what I feel for this club,” Mason told Standard Sport. “They’ve always been great with me. They know how much I want this club to succeed. The players know that as well.
“When you are doing well, the fans are with you — and I want the fans to be with us. But I understand that we need to give them a reason to be with us. That’s part of my job, absolutely.
“It’s part of any manager’s job to create a connection between players, academies, fans — the whole club. It’s probably the biggest job of any manager and one I’m keen to do. The fans know that I care and want what’s best for this club.
“Hopefully, we can get performances and results which warrant them coming along with us.”
Mason, 31, said he had “no doubt” he was ready to take the job permanently, dismissing concerns about his age but acknowledging that his chances depended on a strong finish to the season.
Asked what appealed to him about the job, Mason said: "It’s Tottenham Hotspur. It’s a massive football club. And my being so closely involved in it, as well. The current situation just feels right for me and hopefully I can translate that to the players and the club as well."
