Report reveals Tottenham considering 31-year-old as new boss if Antonio Conte exit rumours materialise

Tottenham are reportedly ready to consider appointing a 31-year-old as their next permanent manager, if rumours over Antonio Conte’s potential exit are realised.

The Italian is continually being linked with a return to Italy to take over from the struggling Max Allegri at his old club Juventus, who are currently eighth in the Serie A table with two wins from their opening seven games.

And with that in mind, several names are being floated around as Conte’s potential successor.

One of those names is current first-team coach Ryan Mason, who was caretaker when Jose Mourinho was fired.

He was only 29 at the time but did a decent job, winning four of his six Premier League games. However, Mason was on the losing side as Manchester City lifted the League Cup at Wembley.

And now Football.London’s Alasdair Gold has revealed on his latest YouTube video that Mason is Tottenham’s thoughts.

Conte is said to have been impressed with the training sessions put on by the former Spurs midfielder. And, according to Gold, Tottenham are hopeful he will one day manage the team.

Speaking about whether Spurs are looking at Mason as a managerial candidate, Gold said: “I think they hope so, I do think they hope so. Let’s not forget he was Spurs manager at 29, the caretaker boss and I know people grumbled at the time, he did pretty well in the circumstances. The players respected him and his training sessions were supposed to be superb.

“Conte witnessed one of his training sessions when he first arrived and that sold him on Mason.

“I imagine Ryan Mason will want to be a manager sooner rather than later. I just wonder if he has to leave Spurs first to come back.”

Tottenham would need a stronger hand

While Mason has clearly impressed Conte and chairman Daniel Levy, it would be folly to think he could step in as permanent boss to replace the Italian at this time.

Mason clearly had a good relationship with the first-team squad, but modern players could use that to his disadvantage.

A major reason why Tottenham have improved so much under Conte is his relentless nature and refusal to accept performance levels dropping.

Conte inspires, he leads. He also has the experience to fall back on from his time as a top player and manager.

While Mason will clearly go down that path, Tottenham will need a steadier and more respected figure at the helm – if Conte does move on.

For the time being it looks like he will stay. But all the while a new contract remains unsigned then those Juve rumours will not go away.

Conte takes his side to Arsenal for the north London derby knowing a win on Saturday will take them top.

Spurs do have injury issues ahead of the game, however. Hugo Lloris is currently struggling with a thigh problem, while Dejan Kulusevski has a tight hamstring.

Neither Lucas Moura or Ben Davies are expected to feature as they work their way back to full fitness.

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