Latest news with #PhilParkinson
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Wrexham line up stunning Premier League triple transfer with £12.5m ex-World Cup goalkeeper and West Ham legend wanted
WREXHAM want to offer Wales keeper Danny Ward the chance to join their first season back in the Championship. Ward, 31, has been freed by Leicester after a difficult spell and could leap at the chance to join Phil Parkinson's ambitious Red Dragons. 4 The 44-cap star was a schoolkid at Wrexham until joining Liverpool in 2012. But in six years at Anfield he never came close to tying down a first-team spot. Instead he was loaned out to Morecambe, Aberdeen and Huddersfield before a £12.5million switch to the King Power Stadium. Ward, who played at the 2022 World Cup, is just the latest player with a Premier League pedigree being linked to Wrexham this summer. The Red Dragons and Derby have put former Wolves centre-back Craig Dawson on their shortlist of targets. Dawson, 35, wants to play on and Rams boss John Eustace likes his experience. But Eustace is also eyeing Blackburn defender Danny Batth - which might allow Wrexham to do a deal for Dawson on top wages. The Red Dragons have also shown reported interest in two ex-England stars who are leaving West Ham on a free transfer. 4 Parkinson is keen on left-back Aaron Cresswell, 35, and 33-year-old striker Danny Ings. Former Liverpool man Ings joined West Ham from Aston Villa for £12million in January 2023. Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is another experienced name said to be on Wrexham's radar. The Nottingham-born Scotland midfielder, 34, is becoming a free agent. However, Cottagers manager Marco Silva has suggested he wants to keep the ex-Blackburn ace. The Red Dragons are returning to the second tier for the first time since 1981/82 after making history under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham have become the first team to reach this level via three promotions in a row. 4
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds overruled on Wrexham plan as it emerges who has the real power
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has shared how manager Phil Parkinson rejected one of his ideas as the Red Dragons prepare for their first season in the Championship Ryan Reynolds has highlighted the significant role of Phil Parkinson at Wrexham after sharing how the manager vetoed one of his proposals. The Welsh team are currently on a high, having secured promotion from League One in April. The club is now gearing up for their first season in the second tier in 43 years. Wrexham recently revealed plans for a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand in July, with the Red Dragons gaining worldwide recognition under the stewardship of Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney. The "Wrexham Down Under Tour" will pit them against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Reynolds disclosed that he had also hoped to arrange a friendly match against Auckland FC. However, Parkinson dismissed the idea of playing against the newly formed club, opting instead for an early return home. "I really wanted us to play Auckland FC, which is a new team," Reynolds said. "I just like the idea of the third-oldest football club playing one of the newest. But Phil was like, 'Absolutely not, we are getting these players back to Wales ASAP after Wellington'." Parkinson's decision came in the wake of criticism over poor scheduling, which was blamed for Wrexham's sluggish start to life in League Two in 2023. That year, the club embarked on a summer tour of the United States but didn't return until a week before the season kicked off, leaving little time to readjust. Later on in the podcast, Reynolds mentioned he had complete faith in the manager, providing insight into Parkinson's significant influence at Wrexham. The co-owners have consistently said they would not interfere with football-related decisions since buying the club. It's a strategy that seems to have been successful, given Parkinson's three back-to-back promotions. Former Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes it is to the co-owners' credit that they have given him so much control. When asked about the dynamics in December, Foster said: "Phil Parkinson is the guy that has the say so on everything, with players in, players out, new contracts, and even when it comes to media duties. He wants to know what's going on. "I love the way that they give him all that power. When you've got two massive A-list Hollywood stars running the football club, money could become a massive problem, and you could be haemorrhaging cash all over the place, but he makes sure it doesn't happen." He added: "The manager nowadays is a coach, and they just get the players that the big dogs have brought in, and they have to work with them. But Phil Parkinson still maintains that he is the guy that brings every single player in." Parkinson is evidently thrilled with the support from Wrexham's owners. He praised their impact after promotion to the Championship was sealed. Parkinson said: "The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it. There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. "It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most. But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs." He added: "That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds has Wrexham pre-season request denied to show where power truly lies
Ryan Reynolds has Wrexham pre-season request denied to show where power truly lies Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has provided an insight into the level of control Phil Parkinson enjoys at Wrexham after revealing how the manager shut down one of his suggestions Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has revealed how Phil Parkinson shut down one of his ideas for pre-season (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA via Getty ) Ryan Reynolds has underscored Phil Parkinson's influence at Wrexham after revealing how the manager overruled one of his ideas. The North Wales side are riding high after achieving promotion from League One in April. Preparations are underway for the club's first season in the second tier in 43 years. Wrexham recently announced they will be heading on a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand in July, with the Red Dragons now enjoying global popularity under Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney. The "Wrexham Down Under Tour" will see them take on Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Reynolds has now told the Men in Blazers podcast how he also wanted to tag on a friendly against Auckland FC. However, Parkinson rejected the suggestion of taking on the club, which was only formed last year, in favour of returning home. "I really wanted us to play Auckland FC, which is a new team," Reynolds said. "I just like the idea of the third-oldest football club playing one of the newest. But Phil was like, 'Absolutely not, we are getting these players back to Wales ASAP after Wellington'." Parkinson's decision was made after poor scheduling was blamed for Wrexham's slow start to life in League Two in 2023. The club flew off on a summer tour of the United States that year, but didn't return until a week before the start of the season, leaving little time to reacclimatise. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (centre) and owners Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) have enjoyed huge success together (Image: AMA/Getty Images ) Reynolds said later in the podcast that he trusted the manager "implicitly" and his comments provide an insight into just how much power Parkinson enjoys at Wrexham. The co-owners have made it clear throughout their time at the club that they won't involve themselves in footballing decisions. It's an approach that appears to have worked, with Parkinson achieving three successive promotions at Wrexham. Former Red Dragons and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes it's to the actors' credit that they have surrendered so much control to him. Speaking in an interview back in December, Foster said: "Phil Parkinson is the guy that has the say so on everything, with players in, players out, new contracts, and even when it comes to media duties. He wants to know what's going on. "I love the way that they give him all that power. When you've got two massive A-list Hollywood stars running the football club, money could become a massive problem, and you could be haemorrhaging cash all over the place, but he makes sure it doesn't happen. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. He added: "The manager nowadays is a coach, and they just get the players that the big dogs have brought in, and they have to work with them. But Phil Parkinson still maintains that he is the guy that brings every single player in." Article continues below It's an arrangement which Parkinson himself is also clearly happy with after lauding Reynolds and McElhenney's role in Wrexham's success. Speaking shortly after they sealed promotion to the Championship, he said: "The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it. "There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most. But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs. "That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years."
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Wrexham ‘tracking three Premier League stars' including former England striker ahead of Championship return
WREXHAM are targeting an experienced Premier League trio ahead of their return to the Championship. Phil Parkinson's side will be back in the second-tier for the first time since the 1980s, having finished as runners-up in League One. 6 6 Having secured three consecutive promotions, the Red Dragons are looking to get their squad up to scratch for a Championship campaign. Throughout Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney 's ownership, Wrexham have targeted experience. The likes of James McClean, Ben Foster, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher have all previously been recruited in recent seasons. According to the Mail, Wrexham are looking at more veteran transfer targets. They claim that former Liverpool forward Danny Ings is on their radar. Ings, 33, signed for West Ham from Aston Villa for £12million in January 2023. It was recently confirmed that the three-cap England international would be leaving London Stadium at the end of this season. This means that Wrexham could potentially sign him on a free transfer. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 6 Wrexham are also interested in Ings' West Ham team-mate Aaron Cresswell. The 35-year-old, who also earned three England caps, is leaving West Ham after 11 years and 369 appearances. Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Las Vegas casino and hijack luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on party Cresswell would add vast experience to Parkinson's back line. Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is also of interest to the Red Dragons. The midfielder, 34, is set to be out of contract at Craven Cottage this summer - although boss Marco Silva would like him to stay. Speaking about Cairney and his team-mate Kenny Tete, Silva recently said: "You all know that between the football club, and Kenny and Tom Cairney, there have been discussions, conversations with their representatives, their agents, and all that stuff. "Let's hope we can have good news for us soon." SunSport recently revealed that several Wrexham stars are set for promotion wage hikes. The likes of striker Paul Mullin are on even larger salaries than before, making exits difficult so that Dragons may have to pay some to leave the Racecourse on loans or frees. 6 6
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Four Premier League targets for Wrexham as Phil Parkinson outlines new transfer plan
Four Premier League targets for Wrexham as Phil Parkinson outlines new transfer plan Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship next season, and manager Phil Parkinson is ready to change his transfer approach ahead of the summer window opening Phil Parkinson could bring in Premier League youngsters to help Wrexham compete (Image: AMA Sports Photo Agency ) Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has hinted at a shift in methods as the summer transfer window looms. The Red Dragons' boss is setting his sights on bolstering his squad in preparation for Championship football next term. Since taking the reins at Wrexham, owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Parkinson has given just one loanee a first-team appearance during his four-year tenure. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo arrived from Arsenal on a season-long loan as the 2023 summer window was closing. It followed Ben Foster's abrupt retirement after only four matches of the Welsh club's League Two season. After a successful stint at the Racecourse Ground, Okonkwo made the move permanent last summer, but Parkinson has largely steered clear of the loan market. However, he's now expressing an interest in tapping into the pool of young Premier League talent to ensure Wrexham's competitiveness in the second division. "The loan market is something we are looking at," Parkinson told The Athletic. "It's all about touching base with the Premier League loans managers, making sure we have an understanding of who could become available. "We can probably attract a better calibre of player than we'd have been able to do in the past. Premier League teams are reluctant to loan out their elite players into League One." "It has to be a player you believe can make an instant impact and is going to make a significant contribution as the season goes on." As Parkinson considers potential loan signings, WalesOnline has reviewed several promising talents he might pursue. Jayden Danns Liverpool's Jayden Danns is one player Wrexham could look at Wrexham have been previously linked with a move for Liverpool's Jayden Danns. The 19-year-old forward is well-regarded at Anfield and was loaned out to Championship team Sunderland on transfer deadline day in February. However, a back injury raised concerns during his medical, preventing him from participating in their successful promotion campaign. With his development hindered, Liverpool may consider sending Danns out for another stint in the second tier with Wrexham. Will Lankshear Tottenham's Will Lankshear is another young talent previously rumoured to be heading to the North Wales club on loan. Last summer, there were talks of him joining Wrexham, but Spurs decided to keep him in North London for the first part of the 2024/25 season. Tottenham's Will Lankshear was previously linked with Wrexham (Image: Getty Images ) Despite scoring against Galatasaray in the Europa League, Lankshear saw limited action and was later loaned to Championship side West Brom in January. His goalless run over eleven matches for the Baggies didn't overshadow the positive reviews of his performances in the local media, suggesting another loan spell could be on the cards. Joe Gelhardt Wrexham were reportedly keen on Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt in January. The 23-year-old eventually signed with Hull for the latter half of the season, where he put in a strong performance, netting five goals in 20 Championship matches. Gelhardt has since returned to Leeds following the season's conclusion. However, with his home club recently promoted to the Premier League, another loan stint could be on the cards. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Harrison Armstrong Despite being just 18, midfielder Harrison Armstrong has already made a significant impact in the Championship. Armstrong was loaned from his childhood club, Everton, to Derby County during the winter transfer window and made quite an impression. Article continues below Following his move to Pride Park, he made 15 appearances and played a crucial role in securing the Rams' safety. Speculation about another loan move is rife, and Wrexham could be the perfect destination.
