Why Hull City vs West Brom showdown will mean so much to Ryan Mason this weekend

When West Brom meet Hull City in Saturday's Championship showdown, Ryan Mason will return to the MKM Stadium for the first time since being forced to retire in 2018.

Mason was named West Brom boss in the summer after leaving his role as assistant coach at Tottenham and making the brave leap into full-time management.

The Englishman has since learned about the pressures of managing a club with big expectations, as Mason has been threatened with the sack at The Hawthorns after struggling to imprint his identity and philosophy on the squad.

There were, however, signs of improvement last time out when West Brom beat Sheffield United 2-0 to temporarily relieve pressure from the 34-year-old.

Now, the Baggies head to Hull City on Saturday knowing a win would leave them three points behind their opponents, who currently occupy the final play-off spot.

Ryan Mason is still Hull City's record signing

There's more than just West Brom's Championship play-off hopes at stake this weekend, as Mason returns to the MKM Stadium for the first time since leaving the club in horrible circumstances.

• Ryan Mason was signed by Hull City for around £13m in 2016 and remains their club-record signing
• Mason made just 20 appearances for the Tigers before sustaining a life-threatening skull fracture during an FA Cup clash with Chelsea in January 2017
• The injury forced him into retirement at the age of just 26 in February 2018

"He is 26 but his brain is amazing, he is an amazing person," former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said after Mason retired.

"He will be a very successful person in football, in everything he wants to do. For me, Ryan is a player who will always be special.

"Don't worry Ryan, you are going to be a successful person outside the pitch."

Mason has since become one of the most promising young managers in English football after honing his craft as a coach at Tottenham, and when he makes his first visit to the MKM Stadium this weekend, he will be greeted with warm applause from the home fans.

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Mason can continue West Brom's exceptional record vs Hull

A lot of emotions will be running through Mason's body when his side make the trip to East Yorkshire, perhaps some frustration that he was denied the chance to fulfil his potential at Hull.

Nonetheless, it's now his dream to become one of England's best managers and prove Pochettino right with his comments seven years ago.

Of course, that aim hasn't got off to the greatest start as the Baggies are sitting six points adrift of the play-offs, but fortunes can soon turn around, especially against the Tigers.

West Brom have lost just one of their last 11 matches against Hull, winning eight and drawing two, with Mason hoping he can continue that record this weekend.

Aune Heggebo will be key to beating Hull, as he's plundered seven goals in his last seven matches, and the 24-year-old can showcase his importance with another strike this weekend.

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