West Brom to make ‘official Ryan Mason approach’ in next 48 hours, hire close
West Brom are reportedly set to make a move to hire Ryan Mason as their new manager.
Mason, 33, is Albion’s number one target with his contract as Tottenham’s assistant coach on the verge of expiring.
Albion have been hunting a new manager since sacking Tony Mowbray in April with sporting director Andrew Nestor leading the search.
It’ll be the second time West Brom owners Bilkul will hire a new manager at The Hawthorns following Mowbray’s short-lived second spell in charge after Carlos Corberan left for Valencia on Christmas Eve last year.
Mason edges closer to being new West Brom boss
West Brom have already held talks about hiring Mason with the ex-Tottenham interim coach regularly being on their radar since Mowbray left last month.
John Percy has now reported via the Telegraph website on Tuesday (27 May) that Mason is “set to be offered the job” at The Hawthorns after Spurs’ season came to an end with a defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
It is understood that the West Brom have held talks with multiple candidates but “an official approach to Tottenham is expected in the next 48 hours”.
Why are West Brom hiring Ryan Mason?
Mason’s managerial experience is limited.
The 33-year-old was forced into retirement in 2018 after suffering a fractured skull while playing for Hull City against Chelsea a year earlier.
Shortly after hanging up his boots, he won a job on the Tottenham coaching team and has served as the North London club’s interim manager on two occasions.
However, neither spell proved fruitful, winning just six times in 13 matches across both of them, including a loss against Manchester City in the 2020/21 Carabao Cup final.
Mason has worked alongside Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, helping the latter win this season’s Europa League when Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao.
West Brom fans have been told throughout the search for their new manager that Nestor and the Baggies board will be using data to help them find their new manager.
One big worry is that there’s a lack of data about Mason’s managerial nous and what data there is, isn’t compelling enough to suggests he’s the man who can take the Albion back to the Premier League.