MAURICIO POCHETTINO has said the “door is always open” for Ryan Mason to return to Tottenham as a coach.
The former Spurs player was forced to retire at the age of 26 just a year after suffering a horror head injury against Chelsea.
Mason was a fan favourite at Tottenham having progressed from the youth side and broke through into the senior squad under boss Pochettino.
The Argentine gaffer revealed he held discussions with Mason this week at the training ground.
And he had warm words for the former Hull midfielder after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Juventus.
He said: “It is very sad news but he opens a door for his future with his family.
“Ryan has been at the training ground in recent days. We have been talking to him with [head of academy,] John McDermott.
“He will be successful in whatever he does. He will always be a special player for me.
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“He represents for me this change in all when we arrived at Tottenham.
“The door is open for me to help him; and the club because we love him and Rachel and George and all his family.
“Don’t worry Ryan, you’re going to be a successful person outside of the club.”
Mason made a total of 69 Premier League appearances after breaking into the first team at Tottenham.
Pochettino also hailed playmaker Christian Eriksen after his free-kick salvaged a priceless 2-2 in Turin.
He added: “Christian had an amazing game, he was outstanding, fantastic.
“In my three years, nine months he has always been important for us, stepping up and growing up.
“He represents our philosophy. He is a player who links the team and he was great here.
“The team was great — but he was fantastic.”