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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Michael Butler

A brief history of English football’s unlikeliest European exports

Brian Deane (left) with Sheffield United and Benfica and Jude Bellingham during his time with Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham City.
Brian Deane (left) with Sheffield United and Benfica, and Jude Bellingham during his time with Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham City. Composite: PA Images/Alamy; Reuters; ProSports/Shutterstock

Eyebrows were raised when Stockport’s assistant coach Andy Mangan appeared on the verge of a sensational move from the League One club to Real Madrid last week, only for the deal to be scuppered by work permit issues related to Brexit regulations. But where Mangan’s application failed, others have succeeded in taking the unlikely path from the Football League to some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Dale Jennings (Tranmere to Bayern Munich, 2011)

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