Ryan Mason: The Rising Star of English Football
Ryan Mason is a name that has been on the lips of many football fans in England lately. The former Tottenham midfielder, who had to retire from playing at the age of 26 due to a serious head injury, has been appointed as the interim manager of Spurs after the sacking of Jose Mourinho. In his short stint as the boss, he has led the team to four wins out of six games, including a memorable victory over Manchester City in the League Cup final. But could he be the next manager of the England national team?
Mason has a lot of qualities that make him a suitable candidate for the job. He is young, ambitious, passionate and has a clear vision of how he wants his team to play. He is also familiar with the current crop of England players, having played with or against many of them in his career. He has shown that he can handle the pressure and expectations of managing a big club like Tottenham, and that he can motivate and inspire his players to perform at their best.
Mason’s career as a player was also impressive, despite being cut short by a freak accident. He came through the ranks at Tottenham, where he was regarded as one of the most promising talents in the academy. He had loan spells at various clubs, including Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall, where he gained valuable experience and developed his skills. He finally broke into the Tottenham first team in 2014, under Mauricio Pochettino, who trusted him and gave him regular opportunities. He scored his first Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, and soon became a key player for Spurs. He also earned his first and only cap for England in 2015, when he came on as a substitute against Italy in a friendly match.
Mason’s career took a tragic turn in 2017, when he suffered a fractured skull after a clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill. He underwent surgery and spent eight days in hospital, before being discharged. He spent over a year trying to recover and return to football, but eventually announced his retirement in February 2018, on medical advice. He said that it was “the hardest decision” of his life, but that he had to “listen to his body”.
Mason did not give up on his love for football, though. He returned to Tottenham as an academy coach in 2019, working with the under-19s and under-23s. He also completed his UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in Europe. He was then promoted to interim head coach of the first team in April 2021, following Mourinho’s departure. He became the youngest manager in Premier League history, at the age of 29.
Mason has impressed many with his performance as a manager so far. He has restored confidence and positivity to the Tottenham squad, who had been struggling under Mourinho’s negative tactics and criticism. He has also brought back an attractive and attacking style of play, which suits the strengths and preferences of the players. He has given chances to young and talented players like Dele Alli, Gareth Bale and Harry Winks, who had been frozen out by Mourinho. He has also shown tactical flexibility and maturity, making smart substitutions and changes when needed.
Mason’s crowning achievement came on April 25th, when he led Tottenham to their first trophy since 2008. They beat Manchester City 1-0 in the League Cup final, thanks to a late header by Aymeric Laporte. Mason became the youngest manager ever to win a major trophy in England, and the first to do so in his first season as a manager. He dedicated the win to his players, staff and fans, saying that it was “a special moment” for everyone involved.
Mason’s success has not gone unnoticed by the Football Association (FA), who are reportedly considering him as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate as the England manager. Southgate’s contract expires after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and there is no guarantee that he will extend it or that he will deliver good results in the upcoming tournaments. The FA are said to be impressed by Mason’s credentials and achievements, and believe that he could be the ideal man to lead England into a new era.
However, Mason also faces some challenges and weaknesses that could hinder his chances of becoming the next England manager. He is still very inexperienced and unproven as a manager at the highest level. He has only managed six games so far, and it is too early to judge him based on such a small sample size. He may face difficulties and setbacks in the future, especially if Tottenham fail to qualify for Europe or lose key players like Harry Kane or Son