“How Genuine Rob and Ryan Are” – Turned Down Wrexham at First, Boss Phil Parkinson Details How Conversation With Rob McElhenney Changed His Perspective

Making the right choices in a career is crucial. Sometimes you may snub an offer at first, but when you get to know the project better, the perspective changes. And that’s what has happened with Wrexham AFC boss Phil Parkinson.

After guiding the world’s third-oldest club to the title and promotion, Parkinson answered fans’ questions. During the conversation, he revealed the backstory of accepting the Wrexham offer after snubbing it first. 

How did Rob McElhenney change the mind of the Wrexham boss?

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over Wrexham on February 9, 2021, after 98.6% of Wrexham Supporters Trust members voted in their favor. It was the beginning of a new era for the club. The Red Dragons finished eight at the end of the season 2020-21. Changes were imminent for the club, with Reynolds and McElhenney having high ambitions. 

And it started with a change of the manager. The club approached the former Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson. He rejected the offer first. However, a conversation with McElhenney changed everything. He got a better understanding of the owners, their ambitions, and the project they were building. It changed his mind, and Parkinson accepted the offer, which he now feels was the right choice. 

While answering the fan after leading Wrexham to EFL League Two, Parkinson said, “Without a doubt, I realized very quickly (he’d made the right choice). I had an initial brief conversation about the job – I knew about the club I’d played and managed here.”

READ MORE: 28 Months Under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Ownership, Wrexham Grows 8X as Turnover Rises to $25 Million

“It wasn’t until I spoke to Rob (McElhenney) and got to know him I understood the reasons they bought the club and the project they had in mind. It was explained to me very clearly how they intended to go about the project – but equally, what stood out was how genuine Rob and Ryan are. Ever since I’ve been in the job, everything they’ve said they’ve backed up. That’s been refreshing,” Parkinson added, praising the owners.

Phil Parkinson is a promotion specialist

The Reading legend started his managerial career in 2003. In his career that has spanned two decades, the Wrexham boss helped several clubs to get promoted to higher leagues. His first stint as a manager was with Colchester United, which was in the third division. In his second season, he helped Colchester to finish second in the table. As a result, the club got a promotion to the Championship, the second division of English soccer.

He achieved the same feat with Bradford City (took them to the third division in 2011-12) and Bolton Wanderers (promotion to the second division in 2016-17). And now he achieved his fourth promotion with Wrexham this season. That’s an incredible feat to take four clubs to the higher divisions.

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Will we see Parkinson achieving his fifth promotion in his managerial career?