Repairing a ‘pocket rip’

I’ve set up a website to teach clothes mending skills, which you probably all have and do anyway. But most don’t have the skills any more unless they have a lucky grandparent to teach them. Last night I had the second web call on tips for teaching mending in your community- if you are interested I could set up another. Email me on [email protected]? When it’s open again, does your community (school, church, cafe) provide an opportunity for you? The website and teaching is free, it’s my social legacy!

Very used to doing this, and it is worth googling ideas. I think your main decisions are:
Is the jacket to be relegated to 'messing about' - in which case a zig-zag, strengthened by tape is best.
Does he want to make it as good as possible, for show, in which case I would use a repair that sews up the pocket - a shame not to have a useful pocket - but could still look smart. Sewing by hand I would do a sort of darning / running stitch. Sometimes, if doing away with the pocket, you can use thread from the pocket to 'invisibly darn'.
Could you add a motif, contrasting tape or similar to make a feature - and jazz up other bits of the jacket so it looks intentional? There are loads of motifs on haby sites.
I have once, taken a contrasting piece of fabric and made 2 new 'patch pockets - but probably not if you're working by hand.
Hope that helps!