Jamie Carragher has slammed Brexit after a young English coach was denied a dream move to Real Madrid having been denied a work permit.
Andy Mangan, who is currently assistant coach at third-tier side Stockport County, was set to join the reigning Champions League and Spanish champions in Madrid but saw his dream dashed by Brexit regulations.
Prior to the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, British citizens could live and work in Europe visa-free, but acquiring a work permit is now required and can take up to nine months to arrive.
Mangan has built up a burgeoning reputation as an impressive young coach and came highly recommended by Ancelotti’s son Davide, who did his coaching course with the Englishman and works with his father at Real.
The 38-year-old is said to have already signed a contract, started Spanish lessons and flown out to Madrid to look at schools for his children before the move came crumbling down when his work visa was rejected.
The frustrating development caught the ire of former Liverpool defender Carragher who took aim at the ‘shambles’ of Brexit for causing the problem.
‘Chance of a lifetime lost for a young English coach, but he’s got a blue passport so I’m sure he’ll get over it #BrexitShambles,’ Carragher posted on social media.
Mangan will now return to League One side Stockport who have made a positive start to the season and sit second under head coach Dave Challinor.
Prior to joining, Mangan enjoyed a nomadic playing career as a striker, with stints at Accrington Stanley, Forest Green, Wrexham and Fleetwood among others.
Upon retiring, he joined Joey Barton’s backroom staff at Fleetwood in 2019 before following the former Manchester City midfielder to Bristol Rovers in 2021.
After Barton’s sacking in 2023, Magnan stayed on temporarily as caretaker manager before the appointment of Matt Taylor.
In March this year, he joined Stockport as an assistant coach with a focus to work specifically on improving the side’s attacking fortunes.
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