Ryan Mason has thrown his hat into the ring for the Tottenham Hotspur job after he insisted he is ready to take it on a full-time basis.
Spurs host Manchester United on Thursday eager to respond after Sunday’s humiliating defeat at top-four rivals Newcastle where they conceded five goals in the opening 21 minutes.
It cost Cristian Stellini his job after just four matches as acting head coach following Antonio Conte’s departure last month.
Mason will be Tottenham’s third boss of a disastrous campaign but this is the second time he has stepped in as caretaker and the 31-year-old made it clear that he is fully equipped for the role.
“Naturally I feel comfortable, it’s just part of being involved in football. You have to be ready and I am ready. I don’t doubt that,” Mason stated. “I’m ready and if that [full-time] situation happens it obviously means I have done a good job, but that is obviously in the future in four, five, six weeks’ time.
“Like I said, the immediate thought is the game on Thursday and the game on Sunday. We have some big weeks before anyone here can start thinking about that situation.”
Mason promised there would be a “reaction” after last weekend’s humiliation at St. James Park and highlighted the importance of the fans despite their disgruntlement with the current situation.
Tottenham’s players have agreed to reimburse the away support at Newcastle, but the former Tottenham midfielder knows the best way to repay them is with strong performances.
On what he expects, Mason said: “A reaction. Absolutely a reaction. Obviously Sunday was disappointing for us and I would hope and expect there’s a reaction from not only the players but everyone in the building and everyone involved in the club as well.
“I’m pleased (about the reimbursement) because our fans are important for us. We value them and need them.
“I understand that relationship has wavered recently but there’s no doubt we need them and want them on board, and hopefully Thursday they can feel us.
“I hate when we lose like our players and fans and we know that in recent weeks or months, it hasn’t been good enough of what we expected and like I said football can change quickly and I hope we can put in the performance to forget that.”
Spurs will check on captain Hugo Lloris, who was replaced at Newcastle due to a hip injury.