West Brom new head coach latest with decision looming

Mason, 33, is assistant coach at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he became a Europa League winner under boss Ange Postecoglou last week.

The former midfielder is highly regarded among Albion's hierarchy and was a strong candidate when the Baggies replaced Carlos Corberan in January, but remained at Spurs.

It is understood Mason is out of contract at the north London club this summer and is Albion's lead candidate to take the role vacated by Tony Mowbray last month.

Mason has not yet confirmed his future but with the Premier League campaign now concluded a decision is expected imminently, to allow the Baggies and their boss-in-waiting to move on with pre-season planning.

The Spurs No.2 is a big part of the set-up at Spurs and regarded as a tough operator with the club who ousted Manchester United last week for European silverware and a place in next season's Champions League.

As well as talks with Albion earlier in the season, Mason held conversations with Belgian giants Anderlecht last autumn, but opted to remain with Spurs.

Albion were also keen on Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay, who is also 33, but it is understood Mason remains the club's priority and No.1 candidate.

It is believed former Spurs academy graduate Mason, who won one cap for England in 2015 before he was forced to retire through injury, has been keen to take on a head coach role but has been eyeing up the right move for his first opportunity.

Mason has twice held caretaker stints in charge at Tottenham, in 2021 and 2023. In the former, in just his second game at the helm, he led Spurs to a one-goal EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City. In all Mason has six wins from 13 games in interim charge.

The midfielder suffered a fractured skull while playing for Hull in January 2017 and underwent successful surgery. It was confirmed 13 months later than he would retire from playing due to the risks involved, aged 26. Two months later he took on a youth coaching role at former club Spurs and has worked his way up the ladder and earned an impressive reputation in the coaching world.