STOCKPORT assistant coach Andy Mangan is set to join Real Madrid, according to reports.
Mangan, 38, has been chosen to join the Spanish giants after sparking up a close relationship with boss Carlo Ancelotti‘s son.
Davide Ancelotti, who is an assistant manager behind his dad at Madrid, undertook a coaching course with Mangan.
And now the League One coach will swap the gloomy north of England for sunny Spain.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Mangan was in talks with the European champions.
Now, according to The Athletic, he is waiting for his work permit, although no date has been set for his exit.
However, should everything go according to plan, the 38-year-old will leave Edgeley Park for the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mangan’s arrival is, at Ancelotti’s request, part of Madrid’s broader effort to refresh their coaching set-up after the Los Blancos won their 15th European title this summer.
The Ancelotti’s are understood to have been looking for an English coach with experience in the English Football League.
It is also understood that Davide plans to take Mangan with him when he embarks on his own managerial career.
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Since joining Stockport in July, Mangan has been credited with playing a key role in their rise to the top of the League One table.
Mangan moved into coaching in 2018 and held roles alongside pal Joey Barton at Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers before his time with Stockport.
Prior to his foray into coaching, Mangan had a lengthy career in the lower leagues – dotting around a number of clubs.
The Englishman retired in 2019 after 15-years playing as a centre-forward for the likes of Accrington, Wrexham, Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere.
Following his two-year spell as assistant manager with Bristol Rovers, Mangan was even given a chance to take over as caretaker boss.
Barton was sacked in October 2023, giving Mangan the job on a temporary basis until the club appointed Matt Taylor.
