"If I’m being honest" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit drops clear West Brom, Ryan Mason stance | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie would prefer the Baggies to appoint Ryan Mason over Eric Ramsay.

Pundit Lee Hendrie has backed Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason to be a better fit at The Hawthorns over Eric Ramsay, as Albion close in on appointing Tony Mowbray’s successor.

The Baggies have placed the former Spurs midfielder as their number one target, with The Telegraph’s John Percy reporting that the Black Country outfit are set to formally offer him the job this week.

It is yet to be known whether Mason wants to take the job though, with TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook claiming the 33-year-old is still weighing up his options.

Sky Sports have recently reported that the Baggies want to talk to Mason about the vacancy and are set to approach the London club this week to request permission, although it’s unclear what position Spurs will take regarding this.

Meanwhile, Minnesota United boss Eric Ramsay is also in the frame for The Hawthorns hotseat, with Birmingham World reporting that the former Manchester United assistant first-team coach holds admirers in the Black Country for his early work in the MLS.

It appears the West Brom vacancy is narrowed down to these two candidates, with the hierarchy keen to wrap up an appointment before pre-season begins.

With West Brom seemingly closing in on a new manager, Lee Hendrie has discussed who he would prefer to see on the touchline at The Hawthorns this term.

Lee Hendrie prefers Ryan Mason to take the West Brom job

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, pundit Lee Hendrie has backed Ryan Mason for the West Brom job, believing he has now got enough knowledge from his coaching stint at Tottenham to make a name for himself as a manager.

Hendrie said: “West Brom are down to Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay. I look at this and if I personally had to pick, I would go for Ryan Mason.

“He’s had enough time around the game where he’s learnt a lot, and he’s run the ship at times at Spurs, so with fresh, young ideas and knowing the Championship well means he would be a better fit if I’m being honest out of the two.

“I think Mason would be a good appointment for them, and they have to give him the stability and drive to bring in players of his own caliber, and he will probably attract players going into the Championship as well.”

West Brom, Ryan Mason appointment will be a gamble

There’s no doubt the appointment of Ryan Mason to The Hawthorns is a gamble, with the 33-year-old possessing no previous experience of managing in the Championship and taking on his first full-time role in English football.

The appointment could either be a disaster or a masterstroke, and it’s dependent on how quickly Mason can adapt to being the leading figure at a football club and getting used to the relentless nature of the Championship.

With consistently high expectations at The Hawthorns, it’s set to be a season of struggle or success, but Mason will have an excellent opportunity of proving his credentials and bringing about a long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League in B71.