"I've heard" - Exclusive: David Prutton reacts to West Brom, Ryan Mason news | OneFootball

Mason appears to be Albion's top choice to replace Tony Mowbray in the dugout at The Hawthorns

West Brom are on the hunt for a new manager after dispensing of Tony Mowbray's services, and their eyes appear to have shifted towards Tottenham coach Ryan Mason.

After Albion's Championship play-off push dissipated thanks to a run of five defeats from their previous six matches, owner Shilen Patel decided enough was enough, terminating Mowbray's second stint at The Hawthorns before the 2024-25 season could even end.

A fan favourite among Baggies fans, Mowbray's return to the club just didn't work out, and whilst former midfielder James Morrison is in temporary charge of the club now, it's likely an external hire will be chosen - with the aforementioned Mason reportedly the number one choice.

David Prutton: Ryan Mason and West Brom could be a good match

As reported by Alan Nixon, Mason is top of West Brom's shortlist to replace Mowbray, despite being a novice when it comes to club management.

The 33-year-old has been caretaker manager of Spurs twice over the years, managing them 13 times, but for the last two seasons he has been an understudy for under-fire Ange Postecoglou.

Wanted by Belgian giants Anderlecht earlier this season, Mason remained in north London, but the chance to take a big-hitter of the Championship on could potentially be too good to turn down.

And speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports' lead EFL presenter David Prutton believes that if Mason is appointed as Mowbray's successor at West Brom, teaming up with their relatively new ownership group could be a match made in heaven potentially.

"Baggies dispensing with Tony Mowbray - it's always sad to see when a manager moves on, not least someone like Tony who is a wonderful fella and a great history with West Brom, and given his health problems we hope that he's fighting fit at a football club soon, because you can absolutely tell he loved being back in the dugout and concentrating on football," Prutton told FLW.

"Ryan Mason's obviously caretakered at Spurs a few times, but given the uncertainty there with Postecoglou's position, I can see why he'd want to strike out on his own.

"Still young, only 33, I've heard very good things about him, good reputation, good way with the players, very much the modern day manager because there's not much gap between himself and the actual playing staff.

"Big job at West Brom, given the players that are potentially moving on like Diangana and Swift, although that might change with a new manager, you never know.

"But at some stage, he'd like to step out on his own, and West Brom with a young, hungry manager, with an ownership group that wants to get itself back up and running could be a pretty decent partnership."

Ryan Mason would be a risk for West Brom but it could be worth the gamble

Given the relative success Carlos Corberan had as West Brom boss, it was always going to be tough for whoever stepped into his shoes after he departed for Valencia, and as it happened, Tony Mowbray just proved to not be the right fit at the time.

The experienced route didn't pay off for Shilen Patel, so it wouldn't be a total shock now if he goes down the up and coming, young coach route - which is what Mason is to a tee.

He's developed his craft under some top managers such as Postecoglou and Antonio Conte, and that can only be a positive thing as he looks set to start his own career as a number one in the dugout at some point.