Ryan Mason bid farewell to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening after taking on the head coach role at Championship side West Brom. After returning to Tottenham in a coaching capacity in 2018 and later becoming interim head coach in 2021 and 2023, the former midfielder was appointed as one of Ange Postecoglou's assistants ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Following links with a number of jobs over the past couple of years, the 33-year-old has now departed Tottenham to move to The Hawthorns. Mason has signed a three-year contract with the Baggies.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion,” he told West Brom's official website. “This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fan base and I am excited about what we can achieve together.
“Having spoken at length to the board and those at the club I am convinced that Albion is the perfect place for me to be and I can’t wait to get started. I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”
Following Mason's switch to the West Midlands, he may well return to Tottenham in the summer and look to sign a couple of the club's youngsters on loan as he builds his West Brom squad. So who exactly could he potentially take with him? football.london takes a look below.
Josh Keeley
The Championship appears to be the next step for Josh Keeley after his heroics in League One for Leyton Orient. It remains to be seen what West Brom will do with their No.1 spot in the summer as they did lose first-choice goalkeeper Alex Palmer to Ipswich Town in the winter market and he was replaced in goal by Josh Griffiths after his time on loan with Bristol Rovers.
If Mason and West Brom are to look for another goalkeeper ahead of the new term, Tottenham may have the perfect shot-stopper for them.
Jamie Donley
All Tottenham fans will be hoping Jamie Donley gets a chance in pre-season after making such a name for himself on loan at Leyton Orient. The academy ace contributed with eight goals and 11 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions and it's clear to see that he has a very exciting future ahead of him.
If he's not to be part of the Tottenham first-team squad next season then a loan move to the Championship would be perfect for his development. He could flourish at The Hawthorns under Mason.
George Abbott
George Abbott was a real loan success story for Tottenham in the 2024/25 campaign. At a time when players such as Manor Solomon and Donley dominated the headlines, the versatile player was outstanding in his 44 appearances for League Two outfit Notts County, notably chipping in with a couple of wonder goals along the way.
Abbott may well get a shot in Tottenham's pre-season plans but another loan switch looks the most likely option in 2025/26. A step up from League Two to the Championship would be quite the jump but Abbott has all the qualities to handle it.
Mason clearly rates Abbott highly, handing the youngster his senior Tottenham debut at Leeds United on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.
Will Lankshear
Will Lankshear joined West Brom on loan during the January transfer window but he was limited in terms of his game time under Tony Mowbray following the late addition of fellow striker Adam Armstrong. Things may not have worked out for the youngster at The Hawthorns during the 2024/25 season but could things be different under a new manager?
Mason knows exactly what Lankshear can produce in front of goal.
Mikey Moore
Tottenham have a decision to make over Mikey Moore heading into the new season. The winger did look good in some of his first-team appearances in 2024/25 but in others he really struggled to make an impact on the pitch.
A loan move could just be what he needs to take the next step in his development and also get used to first-team football week in, week out. He could be a real hit in the Championship with West Brom.
Dane Scarlett
Dane Scarlett was recalled to Tottenham from Oxford United in January and he made an impact in his game time under Postecoglou. The regular starts the academy graduate is desperate for have alluded him in his past few loan spells and it remains to be seen if he will head out on loan again or remain in N17.
Scarlett can be a good third-choice striker option for Tottenham in the 2025/26 season if he is to stay for the time being.
Yang Min-hyeok
Yang Min-hyeok will be desperate to make his case in his first pre-season with Tottenham. The South Korean youngster did catch the eye during his time on loan at QPR and another temporary deal could be in the offing.
It will be up to Spurs whether he stays at the club, goes on loan to the Championship or heads to another division entirely.
Ashley Phillips
It's hard to see Ashley Phillips getting a decent amount of game time at Tottenham due to the players ahead of him in the pecking order. Spending the past 18 months on loan in the Championship, another switch to England's second division could potentially happen once again.
All Phillips can do is make his case in pre-season and wait on Tottenham's decision.
Alfie Devine
Alfie Devine has impressed on Tottenham's last two pre-season tours but has subsequently spent the past two campaigns out on loan. Devine has enjoyed a good season in Belgium with Westerlo and one more loan spell probably will come his way in 2025/26.
The attacking midfielder's time on loan in the Championship was mixed and he will undoubtedly want another crack at it as he looks to become a Spurs regular in the future.
Alfie Dorrington
Alfie Dorrington got some much-needed first-team experience to his name with a loan spell at Aberdeen in the second half of the season. The centre-back did feature regular and he left The Dons with a Scottish Cup winners' medal after they beat Celtic in the final last month.
Dorrington requires regular football once again next season, with the Championship perhaps the ideal next step for him.