Ryan Mason, the youngest manager of the big leagues... and in the history of the Premier League!

Tottenham play Southampton this Wednesday at 19:00 with Ryan Mason on the bench for the first time. The Englishman took the reigns following the departure of Jose Mourinho, although the club confirmed that he will only continue until the end of the season.

At just 29 years, ten months and eight days, the ex-player - who retired in 2017 due to a fractured skull - took the challenge of managing for the first time with Tottenham. Spurs are a team in crisis and are in need of both a mental and tactical help to put themselves in contention for Europe for next season.

As BeSoccer Pro data has gathered, his young age makes him the youngest manager in Europe's five biggest leagues. He overtakes RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, born in 1987 (33 years old). In all of Europe there's only one manager younger than Mason: Will Still, 28, who leads the Belgian side Beerschot-Wilrijk.

Furthermore, Mason will become the youngest manager in Premier League history when he leads Spurs out against Southampton. He overtakes Attilio Lombardo, who debuted with Crystal Palace on 14th March 1988 at 32 years, two months and eight days.

 

April 21, 2021

Chris Coleman makes up the top 3, who managed for the first time on 1st February 2003 at 32 years, seven months and 22 days. He is followed by Gianluca Vialli, whose record from 8th March 1998 only lasted a week before Lombardo took charge of Palace, managed Chelsea for the first time at 33 yeas, seven months and 27 days.

Of course, Chelsea have put faith in youth - the following two youngest managers took charge of the 'Blues'. In fifth place is Andre Villas-Boas, who was viewed as the next Jose Mourinho for his role at Porto. At 33 years, nine months and 28 days, he took charge of his first game with the London side on 14th August 2011 in a 0-0 draw with Stoke.

Ruud Gullit was only slightly older when he made his debut 15 years previous. In the summer of 1996, the English national team signed up manager Glenn Hoddle and so the central midfielder became player-manager of the 'Blues'. His debut was on 18th August at 33 years, 11 months and 17 days. In his tenure, he won an FA Cup and stayed until March 1998, when he was replaced by the aforementioned Gianluca Vialli.