A League One coach is set to join Real Madrid's backroom staff in a shock move after striking up a close friendship with Carlo Ancelotti's son, according to reports.
Stockport County's Andy Mangan is said to be closing in on becoming part of Ancelotti's coaching team at the Bernabeu with a work permit submitted.
Mangan, who has been working at Stockport since July, has landed the dream gig due to his strong rapport with Davide Ancelotti, an assistant manager at Madrid.
Currently working under Dave Challinor, Mangan has played a key role in the club's strong start to the season, with three wins from four sending them top of the table.
The Athletic have claimed that Carlo and Davide were on the lookout for an English coach with experience in the EFL and Mangan was recommended to the boss.
Stockport County coach Andy Mangan (centre) is set to join Real Madrid's backroom staff
It is also thought that Davide will take the 38-year-old with him as his No 2 when he decides to begin his own managerial career away from Madrid.
No set date has been placed on Mangan's arrival but his imminent hiring represents Madrid's efforts to refresh their coaching set-up after three years under Ancelotti.
Mangan made more than 300 appearances in the third, fourth and fifth tiers in England during his playing career, representing Fleetwood Town and Wrexham among others.
After hanging up his boots, he has coached at several clubs. Mangan joined the coaching staff at Fleetwood in 2019 and followed Joey Barton to Bristol Rovers in 2021. He also spent a brief stint in caretaker charge in 2023.
More recently, Mangan has been credited with developing Stockport's forwards this season.
Having completed his coaching course alongside Davide, Mangan is seen as the ideal candidate to help reinvigorate the team around the Madrid manager.
The Athletic add that Carlo and Davide's interest in specialist coaches developed during their time in England and Mangan appears to fit this bill.
Madrid are second in LaLiga after winning two and drawing two of their first four fixtures. They return to action against Real Sociedad after the international break.
Despite their stuttering start to the campaign, Ancelotti looked to focus on the positives after last weekend's 2-0 victory against Real Betis.
'We aren’t worried,' he told reporters. 'We have drawn two games.
'We are very excited and motivated to try to do better. We did do better and we deserved to win. We were more supportive of one other.