Tottenham interim coach Ryan Mason reveals he has spoken with Pochettino but not Mourinho since landing job
TOTTENHAM’S new interim chief Ryan Mason revealed he has spoken with Mauricio Pochettino – but not Jose Mourinho.
The Spurs under-23 coach and former midfielder has been placed in charge of the first-team until the end of the season.
This followed Monday’s shock sacking of the Special One, who failed to live up to expectations after succeeding Pochettino as boss in November 2019.
Asked if he had spoken with Mourinho in the last few days, Mason said: “No I didn’t get the opportunity. Obviously it all happened so fast for me in the morning yesterday so I didn’t have the opportunity.
“Listen, he’s been a great manager and has been a great manager for a very long time and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Mason played under Mourinho’s predecessor Poch, who turned the current caretaker into an England midfielder before a sickening head injury almost ruined his life and career.
Pochettino is now in charge at Paris Saint-Germain, but the pair have remained close ever since and Mason admitted: “Yeah we have exchanged a couple of messages and with a couple of the other staff from his team as well.
“He’s very busy understandably but we’ve always had a great relationship. He loves this club as well. He wished me all the best and I’m sure we’ll be in contact in future as well.”
Mourinho was sacked by Spurs yesterday – just six days ahead of their Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City at Wembley.
The home-grown caretaker will now lead his boyhood club out under the Arch.
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Mason said: “I don’t think it’s about the previous management. That’s gone now.
“Our focus as a football club is to prepare for the game tomorrow, which we have done and once that’s out the way we can look to the next game.The most important thing for this football club is to win football matches.”
Mason’s first game in charge of Tottenham will be against Southampton tomorrow.
He admitted striker Harry Kane is unlikely to play after injuring his ankle in the 2-2 draw at Everton on Friday.
Mason said yesterday: “Harry didn’t train today. It’s one of those cases where we’re taking it day by day.
“We’re still not sure about the weekend yet but what we do know is that Harry is working extremely hard to get over this injury.”
Mason was forced to hang up his boots after suffering a fractured skull playing for Hull in 2017.
Having rebuilt his life and career as a coach he will now be in charge of Tottenham until the end of the season, assisted by Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs.
He said: “It’s crazy. It’s football. I’ve had it as a player. Obviously I’ve had the experience of having to retire in this game. Anything can happen and you just have to be prepared and ready for what football can throw at you at times.
“Many different emotions are going through my body at the moment but probably the most important one is pride. I’ve been associated with this club for over 20 years and it’s been a very important time in my life. I feel very proud.
“I feel like I’ve got an excellent connection with the fans which I feel is important so yeah there’s a lot of pride in being given this opportunity to help this great football club.
“I think my most important role is to try to get some positive results for the football club. I think it helps that I know a lot of the lads and have good relationships but listen, it’s a really good group of guys.
“They’re professional and work hard so that’s all you ask for as a coach. They’re willing to learn, willing to work and it’s something to look forward to.”
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