Ryan Mason wants Tottenham chance with Julian Nagelsmann out of running for manager's job

Ryan Mason again reiterated he was ready to become Tottenham head coach on a dramatic day in the search for Antonio Conte's successor after Julian Nagelsmann was ruled out of the running.

Nagelsmann has been heavily linked with the post since his shock departure from Bayern Munich at the end of March.

The 35-year-old was in the mix for the Spurs job in 2021 before Bayern swooped in at the time.

When Conte left Tottenham soon after Nagelsmann's dramatic exit from the Bundesliga champions, it was anticipated the German coach would again be in the running for the vacancy at the Premier League club.

Speculation has rumbled on since but, while Tottenham have great respect for Nagelsmann, they will not be meeting or interviewing him for the role and it is understood he is not a contender.

Mason remains the current man in post on an acting head coach basis and earlier on Friday listed Eddie Howe as an inspiration after he took the Bournemouth job at the same age of 31.

"I've always said I'm ready," Mason insisted ahead of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.

"I'm ready for this moment. I feel like I can help the club. That's my general feeling and I'll stay true to that. That's been my feeling ever since the club trusted me to take on this responsibility.

"Obviously, you mentioned Eddie Howe and he is an incredible manager. He's an inspiration.

"I think one, probably not spoken about a great deal as well, is Gary O'Neil. The job that he's done (at Bournemouth) has gone under the radar a little bit but a young English manager and his first job."

Last weekend's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace earned Mason a first win during his second stint as Tottenham's interim boss.

During his first spell in 2021, where he won four of his six Premier League