Why Real Madrid are hiring Stockport County's assistant manager

Real Madrid are said to be adding Stockport County assistant manager Andy Mangan to their coaching staff on the advice of Carlo Ancelotti's son, Davide.

Ancelotti is into the fourth season of his second spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu and his job security at this point is without question.

However, The Athletic report that the Italian is looking to fresh up the ideas within his coaching team with the addition of Mangan, who works in the third tier of English football with Stockport.

Mangan met Davide Ancelotti, who is on Carlo's staff as an assistant manager, at a coaching course in the past. The Ancelottis are looking to diversify their coaching setup with young blood and fresh ideas, leading to their pursuit of Mangan.

Stockport first appointed Mangan as an assistant coach with a focus on attacking back in March, with his position made permanent over the summer. It is this specialisation which has appealed to the Ancelottis.

Mangan is set to swap Edgeley Park for the Bernabeu once a work permit is approved. The move would go down as one of the most surprising and sensational in modern EFL history.

Stockport have made a fine start to the 2024/25 season and sit top of the League One table after four rounds of fixtures, taking 10 points thus far.

The 38-year-old former striker retired from playing back in 2018. He made 425 appearances during his career, scoring 118 goals and representing 10 different clubs. The highest level Mangan played at was the third tier, with his best season in League One coming in 2015/16 with Shrewsbury Town - he bagged five goals in 19 games.

Madrid, meanwhile, return to La Liga action on September 14 with a visit to Real Sociedad.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP