Ryan Mason has insisted that he is "ready" for a second period as interim head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, with the Englishman preparing for Thursday's visit of Manchester United in the Premier League.

Cristian Stellini, who had been interim manager following Antonio Conte's departure, was sacked earlier this week following the 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Mason has now been confirmed as the new caretaker manager, and it will be his second period in charge of Spurs, having held the role between April 2021 and June 2021, winning four and losing three of his seven matches at the helm.

The 31-year-old has now been trusted with the position once again and has insisted that he is "absolutely ready to deal with this situation".

"I am ready. I don't doubt that," Mason told reporters during Wednesday's press conference. "It is business. We have a really big game Thursday, another Sunday, so the focus on my behalf is to fully prepare for that.

"[We need] a reaction, absolutely a reaction. Sunday was disappointing. I would hope and expect a reaction from not only the players but everyone in the building.

"I believe in this group and I believe in this football club. I've been involved in football long enough to know things can turn around quickly. One result can change things.

"In recent weeks or months it hasn't been good enough, or what we expect the level to be. But football can change quickly. I feel fortunate, the people I have worked with have accelerated my growth as an individual. There are many people I trust in this training centre.

"I'm not thinking about challenges and negatives. I think we can make a positive impact. The feeling and thought isn't on the situation, it's about how I can influence the players and get back to a positive mindset. We were hurting but that was a couple of days ago and we approach Thursday with full belief.

"This whole bigger picture is irrelevant to me. We've got a game to prepare for. Nothing surprises me in football. I've been in this game long enough - I've been coaching for the best part of six years now. I'm absolutely ready to deal with this situation.

"The immediate thought is the big week ahead - we've got a big five weeks to come before any decisions are made [about my future]."

Mason was also asked about Harry Kane, with the forward currently being heavily linked with a switch to Man United, but the former midfielder only wanted to focus on the team.

"It's not about an individual in this moment. It's about a group of players and the club as a whole. The season isn't over yet. The focus isn't on an individual and that isn't going to change," he added.

"There is always talk when you play for a club like this. Most importantly, we need to be close in the dressing room. We need to be compact and hope that transpires on the pitch."

Former Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann is believed to be the favourite to take over as Spurs manager this summer, while Burnley's Vincent Kompany is also being linked with the role. body check tags ::