Wrexham’s Managerial Success – How Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds Landed Phil Parkinson Over a Premier League-Bound Coach

When Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over Wrexham AFC in February 2021, they had a crucial decision to make—who would lead their ambitious project as the club’s next manager?

At the time, Dean Keates was in charge at the Racecourse Ground, and rather than making immediate changes, the Hollywood owners opted to give the existing coaching staff and players a chance to prove themselves for the remainder of the 2020/21 National League season.

However, things did not go according to plan, as Wrexham finished the season eighth, missing out on a playoff spot by just one point. With promotion the ultimate goal, Keates was swiftly relieved of his duties, sparking an extensive search for a new head coach.

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Phil Parkinson’s Impact at Wrexham

After evaluating multiple candidates, McElhenney and Reynolds convinced Phil Parkinson to drop down to the fifth tier of English football and take charge of Wrexham. This decision proved to be a masterstroke, as Parkinson has since guided the club to:

✅ Second place in the National League
✅ Back-to-back promotions
✅ A strong push for a third consecutive promotion in the 2024/25 season

Parkinson’s leadership has played a vital role in Wrexham’s resurgence, making him a fantastic appointment for the club’s long-term vision.

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The Manager Wrexham Could Have Appointed

While Parkinson has been a success, another name heavily linked to the job was Mark Hudson, who was part of the coaching staff at Huddersfield Town when speculation about Wrexham’s interest surfaced.

Hudson was reportedly keen to take on his first managerial role at Wrexham, but ultimately, the deal never materialized. Instead, he went on to manage Cardiff City in 2022, but his tenure was short-lived, securing just four wins in 18 games before departing.

However, Hudson has since rebuilt his coaching career at Sheffield United, where he is currently part of the staff guiding the team toward a potential Premier League promotion. With Sheffield United sitting second in the Championship, five points clear of third, Hudson is now on the verge of reaching England’s top tier—a move that could have dramatically altered his managerial trajectory had he taken the Wrexham job.

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Did Wrexham Make the Right Choice?

While Hudson may be heading toward the Premier League, Wrexham’s decision to appoint Phil Parkinson has undeniably paid off. With the club’s rapid rise through the English football pyramid, McElhenney and Reynolds have proven they made the right managerial call—one that continues to push Wrexham toward greater heights.