Stockport assistant coach Andy Mangan has had his move to Real Madrid blocked after his work permit application was rejected.
Mangan, a former Tranmere and Shrewsbury striker, was set to join the La Liga champions to work alongside manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, his work permit application, which could take up to nine months to process, was turned down by the Spanish government.
The 38-year-old had previously collaborated with Ancelotti's son, Davide, while working on his UEFA coaching badges. He joined Stockport this summer after their successful promotion from League Two under manager Dave Challinor. The team is currently unbeaten and sitting second in League One after four games.
Mangan’s playing career was spent mainly in the lower leagues with clubs like Tranmere, Forest Green, and Accrington, where he won promotion from the National League three times.
He also served as a first-team coach under Joey Barton at Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers and took over as caretaker manager at Rovers after Barton's departure in 2023.
