Stockport County coach has dream move to Real Madrid blocked by Brexit

The former striker was due to work under Carlo Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu.

Stockport County assistant manager Andy Mangan has had his dream move to Real Madrid denied due to Brexit regulations.

The former Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers striker was handpicked to join Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti's coaching team but his application for a work permit was immediately rejected by the Spanish government.

According to The Times, the application - which usually takes up to nine months to process - was quickly denied due to Brexit regulations.

While there is the possibility of an appeal, it is unlikely, and for now, the decision appears to have ended his hopes of moving to the Spanish capital.

Mangan - who joined Stockport in the summer after they won League Two under manager Dave Challinor - earned his UEFA coaching badges alongside Ancelotti's son Davide, and was hoping to join up with his former classmate in Madrid's backroom.

The 38-year-old had reportedly signed a contract, started to learn Spanish and travelled to Madrid to start looking at potential schools for his children before the authorities blocked the move.

The ex-forward spent his playing career in the lower leagues and featured for Forest Green, Bury and Accrington and won promotion from the National League three times.

He also worked with Joey Barton at Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers as a first-team coach and was a caretaker at Rovers after Barton's dismissal in 2023.

According to The Athletic, Ancelotti - who is the most successful manager in UEFA Champions League history - had been keen to add someone to his staff with experience in the English Football League.

It's unclear whether Ancelotti will continue to work to get Mangan to Spain or turn his attention towards another candidate.

Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher took to X to express his frustration with the reasons for Mangan's move being blocked.

He wrote: "Chance of a lifetime lost for a young English coach, but he’s got a blue passport so I’m sure he’ll get over it." #BrexitShambles

Chance of a lifetime lost for a young English coach, but he’s got a blue passport so I’m sure he’ll get over it 👍#BrexitShambles https://t.co/8EZQIEhnc5

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 11, 2024