Wrexham boss reveals what it’s like to work under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – and why he won’t be going to Las Vegas
Phil Parkinson has hailed Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as ‘great people to work for’ after guiding Wrexham to the Championship. The Red Dragons won their their third promotion on the bounce last weekend as the club’s fairytale story under their Hollywood owners continued. Under McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership, Wrexham have returned to the second tier for the first time in 43 yearsGetty A 3-0 victory over Charlton saw the Welsh outfit clinch second spot in League One, meaning they have now been promoted from the National League, League Two and the third tier under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney. Their decision to buy Wrexham in 2020 has brought huge attention to the Racecourse Ground, with their award-winning ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary recruiting fans from across the world. But while the A-list actors have stolen the show in recent years, manager Parkinson has perhaps flown under the radar. The 57-year-old has been at the wheel throughout the club’s remarkable rise, overseeing their climb from non-league football after being appointed by the pair in 2021. And the Robins’ boss has hailed Reynolds and McElhenney’s role in transforming his side’s fortunes. Appearing on talkSPORT Breakfast, Parkinson said of his side’s latest promotion: “We’ve just gone about our business and done our job. “We’ve kind of tried to evolve the squad as we’ve gone up the leagues, but also try to maintain what the club’s all about, and the culture and the work ethic. “We’ve tried to build here by also adding extra bits of quality as we’ve progressed up the leagues. So it’s been really enjoyable since day one. “They’re great people to work for. They’ve been very supportive and they let us get on with our jobs and manage, which is great.” When asked about the American duo’s reaction to Wrexham sealing their spot in English football’s second tier, Parkinson revealed just how much they have invested into the successful project. GettyWrexham’s owners were in attendance as Parkinson guided the Dragons to within one division of the Premier League[/caption] The Welsh outfit clinched second place behind Birmingham CityGetty He revealed: “They’re absolutely ecstatic. “They’ve enjoyed it, but the families have really bought into it as well. They’ve absolutely loved coming over here and watching the games. And when they’re not here, they watch every match over in the US. “They don’t take it for granted at all. They understand the achievement, because there’s other ownership groups who’ve gone into clubs in recent years and spent money and it doesn’t always work out. “It doesn’t guarantee success by any stretch of the imagination – a lot of things have got to be in place to keep getting promotions.” Parkinson joined former Wrexham boss Dean Saunders on this morning’s Breakfast Show, who was in charge during the EFL side’s darkest hour in 2011, when the Robins sat on the brink of expulsion from the National League after entering administration. When the talkSPORT host mentioned the fans who ploughed their own money into the club to ensure its survival, Parkinson admitted McElhenney and Reynolds were fully aware. GettyParkinson clinched the sixth promotion of his managerial career against Charlton[/caption] GettyThree of these successes have come alongside Reynolds and McElhenney[/caption] The Wrexham squad have plentyRex Parkinson revealed: “When the club was in the depths of despair and it was hanging by its fingertips to survive, there’s people who put their hand in their own pocket to keep this club going. “And I really mean this, the promotion at the weekend was for those people. He added: “To see those people enjoy it, and I’ve got to say that Rob and Ryan totally respect those people as well. “They’re very conscious of the fact that those sponsors who were here all those years ago, paying for the team coach, paying for the extra player to keep the club going. “They’re definitely remembered and also respected while they’re here.” With Wrexham wrapping up their league campaign away to Lincoln on Saturday, their players are sure to have one eye on their trip of a lifetime next week, with McElhenney promising a holiday in Las Vegas as a reward for their efforts. But they will be without their manager, with Parkinson replying when asked if he would be heading to the States: “No, leave that to the lads. “I think it’s nice to have a break, and the staff will do something separate. But yeah, the lads are off on their way next week.”
Phil Parkinson has hailed Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as ‘great people to work for’ after guiding Wrexham to the Championship.
The Red Dragons won their their third promotion on the bounce last weekend as the club’s fairytale story under their Hollywood owners continued.
A 3-0 victory over Charlton saw the Welsh outfit clinch second spot in League One, meaning they have now been promoted from the National League, League Two and the third tier under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney.
Their decision to buy Wrexham in 2020 has brought huge attention to the Racecourse Ground, with their award-winning ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary recruiting fans from across the world.
But while the A-list actors have stolen the show in recent years, manager Parkinson has perhaps flown under the radar.
The 57-year-old has been at the wheel throughout the club’s remarkable rise, overseeing their climb from non-league football after being appointed by the pair in 2021.
And the Robins’ boss has hailed Reynolds and McElhenney’s role in transforming his side’s fortunes.
Appearing on talkSPORT Breakfast, Parkinson said of his side’s latest promotion: “We’ve just gone about our business and done our job.
“We’ve kind of tried to evolve the squad as we’ve gone up the leagues, but also try to maintain what the club’s all about, and the culture and the work ethic.
“We’ve tried to build here by also adding extra bits of quality as we’ve progressed up the leagues. So it’s been really enjoyable since day one.
“They’re great people to work for. They’ve been very supportive and they let us get on with our jobs and manage, which is great.”
When asked about the American duo’s reaction to Wrexham sealing their spot in English football’s second tier, Parkinson revealed just how much they have invested into the successful project.
He revealed: “They’re absolutely ecstatic.
“They’ve enjoyed it, but the families have really bought into it as well. They’ve absolutely loved coming over here and watching the games. And when they’re not here, they watch every match over in the US.
“They don’t take it for granted at all. They understand the achievement, because there’s other ownership groups who’ve gone into clubs in recent years and spent money and it doesn’t always work out.
“It doesn’t guarantee success by any stretch of the imagination – a lot of things have got to be in place to keep getting promotions.”
Parkinson joined former Wrexham boss Dean Saunders on this morning’s Breakfast Show, who was in charge during the EFL side’s darkest hour in 2011, when the Robins sat on the brink of expulsion from the National League after entering administration.
When the talkSPORT host mentioned the fans who ploughed their own money into the club to ensure its survival, Parkinson admitted McElhenney and Reynolds were fully aware.
Parkinson revealed: “When the club was in the depths of despair and it was hanging by its fingertips to survive, there’s people who put their hand in their own pocket to keep this club going.
“And I really mean this, the promotion at the weekend was for those people.
He added: “To see those people enjoy it, and I’ve got to say that Rob and Ryan totally respect those people as well.
“They’re very conscious of the fact that those sponsors who were here all those years ago, paying for the team coach, paying for the extra player to keep the club going.
“They’re definitely remembered and also respected while they’re here.”
With Wrexham wrapping up their league campaign away to Lincoln on Saturday, their players are sure to have one eye on their trip of a lifetime next week, with McElhenney promising a holiday in Las Vegas as a reward for their efforts.
But they will be without their manager, with Parkinson replying when asked if he would be heading to the States: “No, leave that to the lads.
“I think it’s nice to have a break, and the staff will do something separate. But yeah, the lads are off on their way next week.”
