Ange Postecoglou addresses Ryan Mason's Tottenham future after Anderlecht talks

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·18 Oktober 2024

Ange Postecoglou addresses Ryan Mason's Tottenham future after Anderlecht talks

Spurs assistant coach had talks with Belgian giants about becoming their manager

Ange Postecoglou has insisted Ryan Mason remains 'committed' to Tottenham after missing out on the Anderlecht job.

Video OneFootball

The Spurs assistant coach held talks with the Belgian giants after they sacked Brian Riemer last month.

However, Mason will stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after they appointed David Hubert as head coach.

“I have always worked on the premise that part of my role is also developing coaches and it is something I take great pride in,” Postecoglou said.

“Ryan is obviously someone who sees himself as one day taking that opportunity. It’s a really important decision for the guys. It’s not like we want them to leave and certainly with Ryan, he is doing a great job for us here.

“To be fair to Ryan, he was pretty straightforward with it. I said to him I didn’t want it drawn out, taking any time, and he didn’t. He is really happy where he is now and committed to us.”

Ryan Mason is staying at Spurs despite talks with Anderlecht

Getty Images

Anderlecht reportedly had reservations about hiring 33-year-old Mason, who has never worked in Belgian football before.

Some of their board members were thought to be concerned about how fellow Englishman Scott Parker struggled during his time at Club Brugge.

Mason has had two spells as interim head coach at Tottenham, stepping in after Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2021 and then again last year after Cristian Stellini was replaced.

Mason, who came through the Spurs academy and made 70 appearances for the club during his playing career, has formed a key part of Postecoglou’s backroom staff since the Australian’s arrival.