Tottenham hold Ryan Mason manager talks

Tottenham Hotspur have discussed offering Ryan Mason the manager’s job on an interim basis until the end of the season, according to a recent report.

The Lowdown: Conte on thin ice

In the wake of Antonio Conte‘s explosive rant after the 3-3 draw at Southampton at the weekend, during which he also appeared to take aim at the board, Tottenham are believed to have held crisis talks with their manager.

Conte is said to have explained his comments were only aimed at the players, rather than senior figures at the club, which Daniel Levy appears to have accepted, given that he still remains in his job as of today.

However, that has not stopped other managers being linked to replace the Italian, and there is an indication Spurs could look to make an appointment from within to carry them through until the end of the season.

The Latest: Mason discussed

According to a report from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, Conte’s reign was coming to an end even before his comments on Saturday, and he has since done himself no favours, with a well-placed source saying “it’s over”.

As we now enter an international break, one potential immediate option that has been discussed is Mason, who is currently in a coaching role.

The 31-year-old has long been regarded as a future Spurs manager, and could be appointed on an interim basis for the remainder of the campaign, given that he is respected in the dressing room and is close to key player Harry Kane.

The Verdict: Get it done?

The former Spurs player has previous experience acting as interim manager, taking charge for seven games during the 2020-21 season, during which time he averaged 1.71 points per match, and mainly utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation.

This level of experience is nothing in comparison to Conte’s, however it could be vital that he is well-respected by the group, with a number of players said to be getting frustrated by the negativity of the current manager, which could derail their hopes of finishing in the top four.

If Mason is truly viewed by the board as someone capable of taking on the manager’s job on a permanent basis, now would be the perfect opportunity for him to prove himself, and his appointment could inject fresh life into the squad as we head into a crucial stage of the season.