Andy Goldstein reacts to Ryan Mason return to Tottenham after what he’s heard about interim role
Ryan Mason has once again been linked with an interim role at Tottenham – but Andy Goldstein is wary of such a move.
On Wednesday morning, news emerged of Tottenham sacking head coach Thomas Frank after just eight months in charge.
Frank’s side lost 2-1 to Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night, a result that effectively cost the Dane his job.
Spurs are now down to 16th place in the Premier League table, just five points above the relegation zone, and now the search for a new boss is underway.
Tottenham and Ryan Mason told not to join forces again
Mason joined Tottenham’s coaching staff in April 2018, and then, following the dismissal of head coach Jose Mourinho three years later, he was named interim boss until the end of the 2020-21 season.
The then 29-year-old won four of his seven matches in charge before becoming a first-team coach under Antonio Conte at Spurs.
Mason came back for a second interim stint following Cristian Stellini’s sacking in April 2023, with Mason again taking up the reins, albeit with less success as he picked up seven points from a possible 18.
The 34-year-old was then handed his first senior managerial role at West Brom last June but that came to a swift end with his dismissal in January.
Amid speculation Mason may come back for a third interim stint, talkSPORT pundit Goldstein has urged all parties not to make this move happen.
He said on talkSPORT Drive: “A lot of people on social media are suggesting Ryan Mason will come back, I personally think that would be the wrong move for the club, and more importantly for him. If he goes back there again, it sort of looks like he’s a stopgap.”
He then posed the question, will Tottenham find someone on an interim role for the rest of the season or will they get a permanent manager for the summer? That remains to be seen.
Read more: John Gregory backed to be installed as new Tottenham manager
Tottenham should avoid another Mason repeat amid relegation battle
While Frank was unable to translate his success at Brentford to Tottenham, he was not helped by injuries to key personnel this season.
Attacking midfielder James Maddison and winger Dejan Kulusevski are arguably Tottenham’s best players but they have been out all season with serious knee injuries.
Midfield anchor Rodrigo Bentancur is out with a thigh problem, as is winger Mohammed Kudus, and youngster Lucas Bergvall is also on the sidelines.
| Ryan Mason’s managerial stints | Win percentage |
| Tottenham interim (April-June 2021) | 57.14 in seven games |
| Tottenham interim (April-June 2023) | 33.33 in six games |
| West Brom (June 2025-January 2026) | 33.33 in 27 games |
Striker Richarlison, full-back Pedro Porro, and more are also currently out, highlighting how Frank did not have a full deck of cards to play with.
While the performances under the Dane were scattered, divided and leaderless, Tottenham have big problems right now.
And throwing Mason back into the fire, after his West Brom woes where they are just above the Championship relegation zone, is not the right move for him or Spurs, who are dangerously close to the bottom three.
For more expert analysis on the Thomas Frank fallout and where Tottenham go next, head to Football Insider for all the latest.