Real Madrid blow is clear boost to Stockport County's League One promotion hopes: View | OneFootball

Andy Mangan was set for a move to the La Liga Champions, only to be denied a work permit

Stockport County assistant coach Andy Mangan looked set to be joining the coaching staff at Real Madrid this week, only for a work permit issue to scupper any deal to join the European giants.

Having had a playing career at the likes of Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere Rovers, the former frontman has gathered a glowing reputation as a coach, having spent time as part of the backroom staff at Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood Town.

And a dream move to join Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernebau looked to be on the cards, only for Brexit regulations to stand in the way of a work permit being accepted for the County man.

While it will be a massive setback for the 38-year-old as he aims to continue his impressive trajectory through footballing spheres, the Hatters will be looking to capitalise on the situation as they hunt a third promotion in four years.

Stockport County coach Andy Mangan denied Real Madrid opportunity

Mangan only joined the backroom staff at County in March of this year, as the Edgeley Park outfit were in the midst of a title battle in League Two, as they eventually won the race to become the fourth tier Champions.

While the players were doing the business on the pitch, their coach was looking set for a big move of his own, with a move to the Spanish capital said to be on the cards just months after his move to the north west.

Having done his Uefa coaching badges alongside Ancelotti’s son Davide, the pair are said to have struck up a good relationship, with the 23/24 Champions League winners hoping to bring him to the club in the months to come.

But mere days after a dream move that would have seen him coaching the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, Mangan’s hopes were quashed, leaving him having to go back to the reality of the League One promotion race.

Stockport County can benefit from Real Madrid setback

It’s not often that Real Madrid’s pain can be Stockport County’s gain, but that is exactly the situation at this moment in time, with the Hatters keeping hold of one a coach who has such potential and high aspirations within the game.

It may only be early days in Mangan’s Edgeley Park career, but County are a side that have had the wind beneath their wings for some time now, and can only benefit from having the 38-year-old leading by example.

Having been in the National League as little as three seasons ago, County have experienced relentless success since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, with two league titles to their name, as well as a playoff final defeat.

Even with the latest step up in class, County seem to be adapting to their new surroundings with ease, having dropped just two points in their first four matches of the League One season, with a 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town.

The Hatters have bagged eight goals in that time, and consistently tear teams apart with their vibrant attacking play, with a sprinkle of Louie Barry brilliance thrown in there for good measure.

While Real Madrid continue to seethe, Stockport will be looking to make the most of the talented coach they have on their hands, with Dave Challinor continuing to work his magic at Edgeley Park as thoughts turn to another promotion push, and Mangan helping the cause since his arrival.