RYAN MASON has ambitions to become a coach at boyhood club Tottenham.
The midfielder was forced to retire from the game at the age of just 26 after fracturing his skull 13 months ago.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino paid tribute to the former Hull man and said after the 2-2 draw with Juventus that the door is always open for Mason at the club.
And the Englishman, who joined Spurs at the age of just eight, could take him up on his offer.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Mason revealed his ambitions to started coaching academy players and help them progress into the first-team.
He said: “I’m keen to stay football one way or another, it would be a shame to walk away from the game.
“I spent 18 or 19 years at Tottenham and it’s no secret that’s my club.
“I’m a Tottenham man, I’ve come through the club and it’s in my DNA.
“I’ve learned a lot from them and I think if I was to go down the coaching route my philosophy and way of teaching would be the Tottenham way.
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“I’m sure at some point, I don’t know when yet, I would like to get into coaching and help young kids make that step from academy into first-team football.
“I’m in a unique position at 26 and what I’ve been through – I feel like I’ve achieved a lot in the game in a short space of time, so to give back and help people make that step in their careers would be a priority of mine.”
Mason also admitted how he has no regrets over his decision to hang up his boots and it was only a few weeks ago that another scan confirmed a bigger issue.
He added: “It’s been no secret that I’ve been 100 per cent determined to get back.
“But a few weeks ago I had a follow-up CT scan and it revealed an issue with the brain that wasn’t shown before.
“I’ve sought about ten specialists’ advice, but the risk was too high. To think about heading the ball if I needed to, it just wasn’t realistic.
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“I have come to terms with it. I feel good about the situation now. I’ve gone through that emotional side of it, of having to accept I won’t be playing again.
“The decision was taken out of my hands, so I know I’m not going to regret anything further down the line. There’s a lot of relief on my family’s part.
“Now I can look forward. The next chapter of my life is going to be an exciting one.”