Tottenham Hotspur’s former midfielder has officially taken up a coaching role with the youth-team

Former Premier League footballers Ryan Mason and Matt Taylor will lead Spurs' academy team this season, the club have confirmed.

Scott Parker had prized Matt Wells' to Craven Cottage after the coach had caught the eye managing Tottenham Hotspur's under-18s.

Lilywhites academy graduate Mason assisted head of academy coaching and player development John McDermott until the end of the season and now Spurs have made a number of appointments.

Taylor, 37, joins Tottenham as the club's new under-18 coach after playing for Luton Town, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United amongst others during his time in the Premier League and Football League.

Mason continues to work through his coaching badges and is officially an academy coach at Spurs now with responsibility for the under-19 UEFA Youth League side.

He is not the only former player helping out the next generation, with Troy Archibald-Henville continuing to support McDermott.

The one-time Exeter City defender now takes up a full-time position - after returning to Tottenham last year in a part-time role - working with the younger age groups and also taking academy players from the under-18s and under-23s under his wing.

New assistant head of player development will be Nigel Gibbs, who has worked for Leeds United and Swansea City in the past.

Finally, Chris Riley, another former apprentice at Spurs, will be fitness coach for the under-18s and is completing his coaching badges.

McDermott told the official club website: "We have always tried to assemble a blend of staff who know what the demands of the game are at the highest level.

"It's also important to have a mix of experience through internal promotions and external appointments, including coaches who have recently retired and are current with the modern player, plus coaches who have been in the cauldron of professional football - not just Academy football - and can pass on their wisdom of what the real game expects in terms of behaviour and performance.

"All five of these members of staff understand the incredible standards set for young and senior players at this club and they will be invaluable in driving our players to become the best young men and players that they can be.

"Four of these staff have spent many years at the club and know how we function. Only Matt is completely new to the fold, so the experience for the players will be seamless."