It’s been a whirlwind few years for Phil Parkinson, who was questioned by many after dropping down to the National League in 2021.
Having previously been in the dugout at several Championship clubs, it was a surprise to see Parkinson go and manage a National League side but he was inspired by the project at Wrexham.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds were building something special at the Racecourse Ground and they hired the perfect man for the job.
Parkinson’s promotion experience at Bolton, Colchester and Bradford City has proven vital in recent years, dragging Wrexham from the fifth tier to League One in consecutive seasons.
Now, they’re sitting at the top of the table on goal difference and Lee Trundle has delivered a clear verdict on the job he’s done.
Lee Trundle drops praise for Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson
Parkinson’s belief in his system is unwavering, as for most of his career in Wales he’s played a three-man defence with wing-backs.
With Wrexham brushing aside most teams in the National League and in League Two, Parkinson felt no need to alter what worked.
Sadly, some people doubted him almost straight after he took the job at Wrexham but he’s used that as fuel to prove the doubters wrong and former striker Lee Trundle has praised what an excellent job he’s done.
Trundle – who scored 19 goals in 58 appearances for Wrexham – told Football League World: “He is most definitely proving doubters wrong.
“Some were unsure of him in the National League look at what a top job he has done to ensure that promotion and then follow up with League to success and now a positive start to League One.
“I do think there isn’t such a big difference between League Two and League One but you still need to go out and get the results. But full credit to Phil and his coaching team.
“The players are doing it on the pitch, they are understanding the instructions and style of play and as I said, they believe they can win every game, they don’t give up and keep fighting.”
When Phil Parkinson could leave Wrexham
Look, Parkinson has done brilliantly to get Wrexham back into League One however, there will come a time when McElhenney and Reynolds will want to move forward as a club.
Parkinson is the perfect manager for where they’re currently at in the third tier and if they don’t win promotion this term, it won’t be the end of the world.
But, if Wrexham somehow pull off a third promotion in a row, the managers style could struggle in the second tier, especially when a full squad overhaul would be required.
Of course, Parkinson would get a chance to prove himself in the Championship once more but if the Premier League is the dream, the Wrexham boss hasn’t shown he has the credentials to take a team that far.
