Mauricio Pochettino says Ryan Mason “will always be special” to him following the 26-year-old’s retirement from football.
Mason, who made 70 appearances for Tottenham, was forced to end his playing career earlier this week following the head injury he suffered in January last year.
After Tuesday’s draw with Juventus, Pochettino let Mason know there will always be place for him at Spurs.
“In the last few days he was at the training ground and we were talking a lot with the coaching staff and Ryan and [head of coaching and development] John McDermott,” said Pochettino. (Quotes via ESPN.)
“It’s a very sad news but at the same time he opened a massive door with his future for him and his family. He’s 26 but he’s an amazing person and a football brain.
“He was a very successful player and he will be a very successful person and everything he wants to do, he’s going to do. He will always be a special player for me because he represents the change in all the processes when we arrived at Tottenham.
“For me, Ryan is a player that will always be special. And of course, the door is open to help him, from myself, us, the coaching staff. Because we love him, and we love Rachel [his girlfriend], George [his son] and all his family. Don’t worry Ryan, you’re going to be a successful person outside the pitch! No doubt about it.”
Pochettino is clearly a genuinely good person, and I’m sure every Spurs fan would love to have Mason back at the club in some capacity.
top man great offer from Poch to Ryan C.O.Y.S
No doubting that Poch is a top bloke. Would be even better if what he has said represents the club as a whole. Nice to think that the club would always look after “our own.”