'Excited' Mason keen to lay his foundations

RYAN Mason is already counting down to the beginning of pre-season so he can get to know the existing Albion squad - and then, working with those inside the club, can decide on how best to proceed in the transfer market.

- By JOSEPH CHAPMAN

Albion announced earlier this week that Mason would be their new boss ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season. The former midfielder had been on Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham coaching staff and, fresh from helping Spurs lift the Europa League, he has now taken his first steps into management.

The 33-year-old will work alongside sporting director Andrew Nestor and head of football operations Ian Pearce in the weeks and months to come as Albion go about replenishing their ranks in the transfer window. They parted company with Semi Ajayi, John Swift and Grady Diangana at the end of last season and those players will need replacing.