Football London reporter Alasdair Gold has told his YouTube channel that Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has been seriously impressed with Ryan Mason since arriving at Spurs – with Mason a ‘trusted’ member of the coaching staff.
Mason, 31, is currently a first-team coach at Spurs. It comes after managing Spurs for the last seven games of the 20-21 season – after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, just days before a League Cup final. Nuno Espirito Santo came in.
Nuno left soon after and then Conte arrived. There was a chance that Mason may have had to move on from Spurs with Conte renowned for bringing in his own backroom staff. Conte did that, but he kept Mason as part of the team.
Gold gives insight into that decision less than 18 months ago, made by the Italian gaffer. He says that while Conte was looking on while awaiting a work permit, and was impressed with what Mason had to offer on the training ground.
“Conte wasn’t technically allowed to take training because his work permit hadn’t arrived. Mason took the sessions and Conte was a bit like okay, this lad’s got something. That’s why you saw him become a real trusted member of the staff.”
Gold: Tottenham boss Conte impressed with Mason since Spurs arrival
With Conte back in Italy, overcoming an operation on Sunday, Spurs took to the field against Manchester City. Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant manager, took control – as he did in the 2-1 away win over Marseille with Conte suspended.
He masterminded a 1-0 win over the Premier League champions, in which Harry Kane scored the only goal. It saw Kane take his tally to 267 goals for Spurs – beating Jimmy Greaves’ record. Mason acted as assistant, and was animated.
The ex-Spurs midfielder was constantly dishing out advice to players, emotionally invested as Spurs held on to a 1-0 win. Clearly, Conte likes the former England international and Mason has a long future ahead of him in coaching.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
