Andy Magnan’s proposed move from Stockport to Real Madrid has been blocked (Image: PA)
Stockport County coach Andy Mangan will not be allowed to join Real Madrid due to the knock-on effects of Brexit, according to reports. The 38-year-old was set to join Carlo Ancelotti’s support team at the Bernabeu but will no longer be able to complete his dream move.
Mangan joined Stockport as an assistant coach following their promotion to League One over the summer. He was quickly sounded out by Real Madrid, with Ancelotti reportedly looking to add new faces to his coaching team ahead of the new campaign.
The Stockport coach was said to have been chosen due to his close relationship with Ancelotti’s son Davide, who is Real Madrid’s assistant manager. However, the move will not be allowed to go ahead with Mangan having been denied a work permit, according to The Times.
Magnan is reportedly close friends with Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide (Image: GETTY)
It is said that Mangan agreed financial terms with Real Madrid but the denial of a work permit means he will be unable to join the Spanish giants. The report adds that Mangan’s application was rejected due to Brexit regulations following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
British citizens no longer enjoy free movement rights in the EU, meaning they are not allowed to visit, live, work, or study in an EU country without a visa. EU law now considers British citizens to be third-country nationals, the same as citizens of other non-EU states.
Mangan will, therefore, be staying at Stockport for the foreseeable future after seeing his Real Madrid dream go up in smoke. Their attempt to sign him was part of a broader effort to refresh their coaching setup after three seasons of stability under Ancelotti.
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The 65-year-old has reportedly been looking to recruit a new coach with experience in the English Football League. Mangan was recommended to him by Davide, who is said to be keen on taking the Stockport coach with him when he embarks on his own managerial career.
Mangan made over 300 appearances in England’s third, fourth and fifth tiers as a player before taking up coaching after his retirement. He worked under Joey Barton at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers, where he had a brief stint as caretaker manager after Barton was sacked.
The 38-year-old went on to join Dave Challinor’s coaching team at Stockport at the end of last season, during which they secured promotion to League One.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1946780/Stockport-coach-Andy-Magnan-Real-Madrid-Brexit