Brussels gamble? Former Tottenham and Hull City midfielder set to take over as Anderlecht’s latest head coach | OneFootball

HLN are reporting that Ryan Mason looks set to become the new head coach of Anderlecht. The surprising news comes after the side could not agree on a deal with former Antwerp man Mark van Bommel and decided that interim head coach David Hubert was not the long term man for the job. Mason, who has been interim head coach at Tottenham on two occasions, will leave the London side, where he is working as a first team head coach under Ange Postecoglou, and take up the full time head coaching role with Anderlecht.

Going for an unproven coach in Mason is certainly a gamble from the Brussels side. The club is in need of someone who can steady things and bring excitement on the pitch that the fans demand. There is also the desire of the fanbase to lean into the academy more, given how many top players it has produced. Mason will team up with former Tottenham teammate Jan Vertonghen.

Mason had to retire from the game early due to a health scare and took up coaching, becoming the youngest manager in the Premier League when he stepped in at Tottenham. During his playing days he spent time with Spurs and Hull City.

Mason follows another Englishman in moving to the Pro League recently in Scott Parker. The former Fulham man struggled to have any success with Club Brugge and lasted just a few games before being sacked. Mason will hope to fair better than this, but will certainly not be able to underestimate the pressure involved in taking over at one of Belgium’s biggest clubs.

If it comes off, Jesper Fredberg and the decision makers at Anderlecht will be lauded. If it does not, the pressure on them will increase tenfold.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson