‘Absolute Disgrace’ – Wrexham Rubbish Rumours of Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney Readying Axe for Record-Breaking Promotion Winner Phil Parkinson

Wrexham Hit Back at ‘Absolute Disgrace’ Rumours Linking Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney With Axing Phil Parkinson

Wrexham AFC are not a club that shies away from the spotlight. Ever since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought into the North Wales institution back in 2021, the Dragons have lived under the microscope of Hollywood attention, documentary cameras, and endless speculation. But this week, the chatter went a step too far.

Reports began circulating that Reynolds and McElhenney were supposedly considering wielding the axe on head coach Phil Parkinson, the man who has overseen the most successful period in the club’s modern history. For many fans, the mere suggestion felt like a slap in the face. And for the people running the club, it was labelled nothing short of an “absolute disgrace.”

History Books Rewritten Under Phil Parkinson

To understand the reaction, you have to remember where Wrexham were before Parkinson’s arrival. Four years ago, the club was languishing in the National League, a proud name lost in the mire of non-league football, its best days long behind it.

Then came the Hollywood takeover, then came Parkinson, and then came the relentless march forward. Promotion from the National League was followed by momentum in League Two, then another leap forward. Last season, Wrexham sealed their third successive promotion, landing in the Championship—a place that had once felt like a dream.

Three promotions in three years. Record points totals. History rewritten. That doesn’t happen by accident, and it certainly doesn’t happen without a steady hand at the helm. Parkinson, with his blend of experience and calm authority, has been that hand.

Ryan Reynolds Rob McElhenney Wrexham

Transfer Talk & Big Money Spent in the Summer

Of course, stepping into the Championship was always going to demand more. The club spent heavily—by their own standards and by EFL standards too. £33 million ($45m) was invested in new recruits over the summer, a clear statement of intent that Wrexham aren’t here to simply make up the numbers.

Yet, with investment comes expectation. The Championship is notoriously unforgiving, and after five matches of the 2025/26 campaign, Wrexham had just one win and four points on the board. Not disastrous by any means, but not sparkling either.

And so, as often happens in football, whispers began. Would the owners grow restless? Would they look for a marquee coaching name to match their marquee project? Social media did its thing, headlines followed, and suddenly Parkinson’s job security was being openly debated.

Pressure Talk Amid Links to Other Coaches

The suggestion that Wrexham’s ownership group were lining up “bigger names” to replace Parkinson spread fast. After all, Reynolds and McElhenney have built a project that thrives on buzz and headlines. Would it really be so shocking if they looked abroad, or to a Premier League out-of-work coach, to add extra star power?

But the timing and the content of these rumours didn’t sit right. Parkinson has not only been successful, but he remains a respected figure in the dressing room and among the fanbase. Yes, results had been slow in the early weeks, but context matters: injuries had taken their toll, fixtures had been tricky, and the season is still in its infancy.

Shaun Harvey Slams Rumours as ‘Absolute Disgrace’

That context is exactly what Shaun Harvey, Wrexham’s non-executive director and one of the key figures in day-to-day operations, emphasised when asked about the speculation. Speaking on the Fearless in Devotion podcast, Harvey didn’t hold back.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” he said bluntly. “I think we’re all disappointed we’ve not got more than four points at this moment in time. But to start quoting discussions and meetings that have taken place is the bit that’s the disgrace.”

His comments were unequivocal. Parkinson has not been discussed as a candidate for removal. There have been no secret boardroom meetings plotting his exit. Instead, there is a continued belief in the manager who has guided the club this far.

‘Phil Has Everybody’s Full Support’

Harvey went further to stress the level of backing Parkinson still enjoys.

“Phil has everybody at the club’s full support,” he continued. “I know before somebody starts writing headlines, ‘Harvey gives Parkinson the vote of confidence’. That is not the vote of confidence. What I’m saying is, he’s got our full support. You can only give somebody a vote of confidence when you’ve actually discussed the future. It’s not even been on anywhere near an agenda as yet.”

It was a subtle but important distinction. This wasn’t a case of reluctantly standing by a man under fire. This was a case of rejecting the premise entirely. Parkinson’s future has not been up for debate, because Parkinson remains firmly part of Wrexham’s present and future.

Why Panic Now?

That was Harvey’s other key message: why panic now?

“So, if that day comes, the decision has to be taken. But Phil’s our man. We’ve backed him from the start. We backed him from four years ago. We’ve had all the success under that regime. Why should we start panicking now?”

And he has a point. The Championship season is 46 games long. Momentum ebbs and flows. Teams find form late. Injuries clear. Squads gel. To throw away the stability and belief that has brought so much success would not just be premature, it would be reckless.

Wrexham Fixtures: Next Up Norwich

Phil Parkinson Wrexham 2025-26

Of course, words are only part of the picture. Football is ultimately about results, and the next chance to deliver them comes on Saturday with a trip to Norwich City.

It will not be an easy task—Carrow Road is never a forgiving venue—but it is exactly the kind of fixture where Wrexham can show their mettle. Parkinson will lead the side as he always does, with the full backing of the board, the owners, and the vast majority of supporters.

The aim is simple: silence the noise, pick up points, and keep writing the story that has already captured imaginations far beyond North Wales.

The Hollywood Factor

Of course, part of what makes these stories stick is the Hollywood factor. With Reynolds and McElhenney at the helm, every decision Wrexham make is viewed through a lens of drama. Fans expect plot twists, shock exits, and big reveals, because that’s what the cameras have taught them to expect.

But real football isn’t a scripted documentary. It’s a grind, a journey, full of bumps along the way. Parkinson understands that better than most. His resume is built on experience in the EFL trenches. And if Wrexham want to continue rising, that pragmatism may be just as important as Hollywood stardust.

Conclusion: Parkinson Still the Right Man

In the end, the rumours of his demise tell us less about Phil Parkinson’s reality and more about the fevered environment surrounding modern football. One bad run, one shaky start, and suddenly speculation is rife. But when you strip away the gossip, the truth is clear.

Phil Parkinson has led Wrexham to heights few dared to dream of just a few years ago. He remains respected by his players, trusted by his board, and loved by his fans. And until proven otherwise, he remains the right man for the job.

As Shaun Harvey put it, there’s no reason to panic. Not yet. Not when the evidence of the past four years shows exactly what Parkinson is capable of.

And so, as the Red Dragons head to Norwich, the message is simple: ignore the noise, back the boss, and keep moving forward. The journey isn’t over—it’s only just begun.