Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has reflected on a transformative half-decade at the Racecourse Ground, describing his tenure as "great" while insisting there is still "a lot more work" to be done as the club prepares for another Championship campaign. The 58-year-old, who was appointed by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in July 2021, has become the longest-serving manager in the second tier after guiding the Welsh side to three consecutive promotions.
Speaking to BBC Sport Wales from the club’s pre-season training base at Carden Park, Parkinson recalled his earliest days at the helm. "When I first came in five years ago, we were training on the same pitch," he said. "Me and Steve have been talking about how the squad's evolved over the years, the group we inherited in that pre-season and the staff."
"It's been a great five years and I've really enjoyed it."
That period has seen Wrexham climb from the National League to firmly establish themselves in the Championship, finishing an impressive seventh place last season – just outside the play-off positions. The achievement makes Parkinson the longest-serving manager in the division, a stat he acknowledges with typical modesty.
"It's an amazing stat when you look at that and it shows the nature of the industry and the job," he said.
Building for the Future
Off the pitch, progress has been equally eye-catching. Construction of the new Kop Stand is underway, and a dedicated pavilion at Colliers Park – the club’s former training ground now owned by the Football Association of Wales and Wrexham University – is taking shape. Parkinson highlighted the importance of such infrastructure.
"What is great for us, people can see the stands coming up and the module at Colliers taking shape as well," he noted. "As the club's progressed on the pitch – the training facilities in particular – it's been difficult to keep pace. Even though Colliers are great with us and the pitches are good, to have our own base there now is going to be a huge advantage because we're up against teams with state-of-the-art training grounds."
The manager stressed that modern facilities are essential for attracting top talent. "Even in League One, a lot of teams have got really top-class facilities and we need that to attract players. It's progress we needed to make and when we come back from America, that should be ready to go into."
Pre-Season Ambitions
Wrexham are gearing up for a packed pre-season schedule, starting with a trip to Poland to face Wisla Krakow on Saturday, followed by a high-profile friendly against Manchester United in Helsinki a week later. The team will then head to the United States for matches against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Leeds United, fixtures that Parkinson believes serve a dual purpose.
"In terms of going to Krakow and Helsinki, that helps generate the revenue which we need to put into the budget to help us going forward," he explained. "And obviously, the America trip is important. So, as we've always done, we've embraced those trips and I think it's a very exciting pre-season for us."
Evolution Behind the Scenes
Parkinson also detailed the transformation of his backroom staff, noting the development of a "really strong medical team" and sports science department. "You look around now, we've built a really strong medical team, sports science department and where we were in that period and how things have progressed," he said. "And of course, there's still a lot more work to be done."
The manager’s comments come as the club continues to balance ambition with sustainability under its famous ownership group. With the new campaign on the horizon, the focus remains firmly on building a squad capable of challenging for a play-off place and, ultimately, the Premier League.
Key Takeaways
- Phil Parkinson celebrates five years as Wrexham manager, a period that has seen the club rise from the National League to the Championship with three successive promotions.
- Off-field developments, including the new Kop Stand and a training facility upgrade at Colliers Park, are set to provide Premier League-standard infrastructure.
- A packed pre-season featuring fixtures against Manchester United, Liverpool, and others will generate vital revenue and prepare the squad for the Championship campaign.
- Parkinson stresses that more work is required, particularly in matching the facilities of rival clubs to attract and retain talent.
Quick Facts
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Joined: July 2021
Promotions: Three (National League, League Two, League One)
2025-26 Finish: 7th in Championship
New Facilities: Kop Stand redevelopment, Colliers Park pavilion
