RYAN MASON is in talks to take over as Anderlecht’s new head coach.
The Belgian giants sacked Brian Riemer last month after two years in charge, having won just four of the club’s ten league games this season.
Mason, 33, is on Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff but harbours ambitions to be a manager one day.
He is understood to be a leading contender for the vacant role.
The former midfielder had two stints as interim Spurs boss following the exits of Jose Mourinho in 2021 and then Cristian Stellini, who himself has succeeded Antonio Conte, last year.
His brief spells in charge of Spurs saw him oversee 13 games, winning six, losing six and drawing once – including a 1-0 defeat to Man City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final.
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Outside of those brief spells as boss, Mason has worked as an assistant manager, technical coach and head of academy coaching at the North London club.
Ex-England international Mason was forced to retire as a player in 2018 after a sickening head clash with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill while playing for Hull a year earlier.
Mason, 33, has never held a full-time managerial position before and would be following in the footsteps of Premier League legend Vincent Kompany, who also began his managerial career with Anderlecht.
Kompany, now manager of Bayern Munich, earned his stripes with the Belgian club before joining Burnley and earning his big move to Bavaria.
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Ryan Mason’s full record as interim manager
Here’s a look at the 13 results managed by Ryan Mason during his two spells as Tottenham’s interim boss…
Post Mourinho
- Leicester 2-4 Spurs
- Spurs 1-2 Aston Villa
- Spurs 2-0 Wolves
- Leeds 3-1 Spurs
- Spurs 4-0 Sheffield United
- Man City 1-0 Spurs (Carabao Cup final)
- Spurs 2-1 Southampton
Post Conte
- Leeds 1-4 Spurs
- Spurs 1-3 Brentford
- Aston Villa 2-1 Spurs
- Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace
- Liverpool 4-3 Spurs
- Spurs 2-2 Man Utd
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A product of the Tottenham academy, Mason made 70 appearances for Spurs during his playing days.
And a move to take charge of Anderlecht would see him reunite with one of his former teammates.
Ex-Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen is currently on the books at the Belgian side, having made the switch from Benfica in 2022.
Anderlecht are currently fourth in the Belgian Pro League having won just four of their opening 10 clashes.
However, the Purple and White have won both of their first two Europa League games beating Real Sociedad and Ferencvaros on the European stage.
Should Mason get the job then there’s a chance he may come up against Spurs in the latter stages of the Europa League with both sides currently in line to qualify for the knockout stages.
It’s claimed that Anderlecht were also looking at coach Mark van Bommel, but have seen the Dutchman drop out of the race to become manager.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
