Donny fan Mac Wilson wrote to the Doncaster chairman suggesting he could lead the side to the Premiership in three years and was interested in becoming boss at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The child's father told the Doncaster Free Press: “When the phone rang, I answered it and couldn’t believe it when John said he was getting in touch with Mac about the manager’s job.
“I put Mac on and he thought it was a wind-up, convinced his older brother was playing a trick on him. He went a bit shy but Mr Ryan was obviously very impressed and said he wanted him to come in for interview.”
Ryan has invited Mac to meet up with players ahead of this Saturday’s clash before being “interviewed” for the Rovers’ hotseat.
He said: “One of the nicer sides of being the chairman of a football club is that sometimes you can make someone’s day.
“Mac actually put in his letter that he will get us in the Premier League in three years – I thought that was a very positive statement."