Stockport County’s assistant coach, Andy Mangan, has seen his dreams of joining the coaching staff at football giants Real Madrid dashed after being refused a work permit to move to Spain.
The 38-year-old coach, who has built a promising reputation in the lower tiers of English football, had been hoping to make a significant career leap by working alongside legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti at the Spanish club.
However, due to post-Brexit regulations, Mangan’s application for a Spanish work permit was denied. According to the current rules, obtaining a work permit to work in Spain can be a lengthy process, taking up to nine months. This delay has prevented the move from materialising, leaving Mangan unable to join Ancelotti’s coaching setup.
Mangan had been offered a rare opportunity to swap the pressures of League One for the glamour of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. He was set to work with some of the biggest names in football, adding another chapter to what has already been a remarkable coaching journey. But the constraints of Brexit, which has made it more difficult for British citizens to work within the European Union, have put an end to those ambitions for now.
The assistant coach’s rise through the football ranks has been rapid. A former journeyman striker, Mangan carved out a playing career that saw him turn out for various lower league clubs. His transition into coaching, however, has been more impressive. After obtaining his UEFA coaching qualifications, Mangan’s career on the sidelines began to flourish. He initially worked alongside Joey Barton, former Newcastle United midfielder, at Fleetwood Town and later at Bristol Rovers, before making the move to Stockport County earlier this year.
Mangan’s connection to Real Madrid came through Davide Ancelotti, the son of Carlo Ancelotti, with whom Mangan completed his coaching badges. The two struck up a close relationship, and it was this connection that ultimately led to the opportunity at the Spanish club. Unfortunately for Mangan, the bureaucratic hurdles caused by Brexit have forced him to remain in England, where he will continue in his current role at Stockport County.
Despite the setback, Mangan remains at Stockport, who are currently performing exceptionally well in League One. Under manager Dave Challinor, Stockport are chasing their third promotion in just four seasons and sit second in the table. Mangan’s role, with a focus on working with the team’s attacking players, has been key in their success. He was instrumental in Stockport’s promotion from League Two last season, where they won the title in emphatic fashion.
For now, Mangan will remain focused on Stockport’s ambitions of returning to the Championship, but it is clear that the door to a future move to a top European club remains open. While the immediate frustration of missing out on a role at Real Madrid will sting, Mangan’s coaching career continues on an upward trajectory, with many expecting further opportunities to come his way.
As Brexit continues to reshape the landscape for British professionals working in Europe, Mangan’s case serves as a reminder of the challenges that many now face when attempting to pursue careers abroad.
Site Opinion
Mangan, missing out on a move to Real Madrid is a massive blow, no question about it. Imagine the chance to work alongside Carlo Ancelotti and coach players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham – that’s the kind of opportunity that can fast-track your career to the top levels of European football. It’s not every day a coach from League One gets the call from a club like Madrid, and to see it fall through because of Brexit red tape is undoubtedly frustrating. Mangan has worked hard to build a strong reputation in the lower leagues, and this could have been his breakout moment on the global stage. It’s one of those “what could’ve been” situations, but he’s got plenty of time ahead of him to find other big opportunities.
For Stockport, though, this is a huge win. They’re gunning for a third promotion in four seasons, and Mangan has been a key part of their success. Keeping someone with his attacking know-how and growing reputation at the club is a real bonus for them. Stockport are on the rise, and having Mangan stay on board means they can continue that momentum. It’s not every day a club like Stockport holds onto someone who’s in demand by Real Madrid, so this will only boost their chances of climbing the ranks even further. Plus, the players will be buzzing knowing they’ve got a coach with such strong credentials.
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