Ryan's step into the unknown is a 'serious' move

RYAN Mason took his seat to face the local press with assurity. He has had a taste of first-team management, has led a team out in a cup final at Wembley no less when thrust into the limelight the same week Tottenham sacked Jose Mourinho before their League Cup date with Manchester City in 2021.

- By JOSEPH CHAPMAN

This would have been a piece of cake in comparison, for a man who has only just turned 34. Only Will Still, himself in a job in the EFL for the first time with Southampton, is younger than Mason, who has all sorts of experiences - good and bad - to call upon from his playing days, but also inspiration from the wealth of high-quality managers he has worked under since.

This is Mason’s turn. Not one to get overly excited, the first impression to garner from this sit-down is that he is a man who is laser-focused and has been awaiting this opportunity. Albion may now be under threat of morphing into a side who are perenially in the Championship, but they are still a big enough fish that when the vacancy presents itself, aspiring coaches like Mason are keen to jump at it.