Tottenham appoint Ryan Mason as Under-19 academy coach just year after retiring due to horror fractured skull – The Sun

TOTTENHAM have appointed Ryan Mason as their U19s manager less than a year after he was forced to retire after a horror head injury.

Mason suffered a fractured skull in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill when playing for Hull against Chelsea in 2017.

Surgery saw him have 14 metal plates inserted into his head, held together by 28 screws.

And following doctors' advice, he took the painful decision to retire from football in February last year, aged just 26.

But he is now back at the club where he started his career and will help nurture the top talents in the academy side.

Speaking previously about his horror injury, Mason said: “I have 14 metal plates in my skull, with 28 screws to hold them in place.

All the nerves down that side of my face were damaged. For about 10 days I was being spoon-fed

“There were 45 staples and a six-inch scar across my head too. Picking the staples out definitely wasn’t pleasant.

“I’m aware of it all the time. When I get a headache, the pain is excruciating.

“All the nerves down that side of my face were damaged. For about ten days I was being spoon-fed.

“Every time I moved my head I started to get dizzy. The first three months after the injury were by far the worst. It was just constant challenges.”

He made 70 appearances for Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino, scoring four goals before joining Hull for £13m in 2016.

Spurs have also appointed former Portsmouth and West Ham star Matt Taylor as U18s coach, with former Watford player Nigel Gibbs also coming into the development side.

Existing staff members Chris Riley and Troy Archibald-Henville will work with older players in the Academy.

John McDermott, Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development said: “We have always tried to assemble a blend of staff who know what the demands of the game are at the highest level.

"All five of these members of staff understand the incredible standards set for young and senior players at this club and they will be invaluable in driving our players to become the best young men and players that they can be."

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