Stockport County to Real Madrid? Brexit Says No: How Andy Mangan Lost Out on The Chance to Work Under Carlo Ancelotti

One step away from shaking hands and brushing shoulders with Los Blancos. But alas, it was not meant to be for Andy Mangan, as in an unfortunate turn of events, the Stockport County assistant coach was denied of a dream chance to become Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant at Real Madrid due to one small hiccup.

According to Daily Mail, Real Madrid were on the lookout for a coach with experience in the English Football League, and the 38-year-old Stockport man was considered as one of the top candidates to fill the role. A big part of the same, thanks to Ancelotti’s son.

Mangan, who undertook his UEFA coaching qualification alongside the current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide, and it was the latter who recommended that Mangan be appointed into the ranks of Los Blancos.

Madrid made a formal approach for Mangan’s services and an agreement was reached with both Stockport and the coach, but his work permit was rejected, according to the Sunday Times.

The reason behing his rejection is still unknown but what was a major factor in his denial was the new Brexit regualtions.

Andy Mangan, 38, has been a coach at County for a matter of months after joining the club in July on the back of their promotion to League One with a focus on coaching the attacking players.

The last few years have been monumental for Stockport. Just five years ago, they were playing in the National League North, but following a surge in fortunes on the pitch, they’ve been promoted three times since 2019 and are currently in League One. It’s smart business off the pitch and excellent performances on it that have seen the club thrive recently.

Mangan has played a key role in Stockport’s unbeaten start to the season, with three wins from four sending them top of the table prior to the weekend. They now trail Wrexham by three points with a game in hand.