Steven Gerrard Backed as ‘Good Fit’ for Wrexham if Phil Parkinson Faces Pressure in Championship

Liverpool legend tipped to follow Frank Lampard’s route back into management and lure big names to ambitious Welsh club

When Wrexham stepped out at St Mary’s for their first Championship match since 1982, the scale of their journey under Phil Parkinson truly hit home. From the National League’s muddy pitches to the bright lights of English football’s second tier, it has been a rise that Hollywood screenwriters Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney could only have dreamed of when they bought into the club.

Parkinson has been central to this remarkable climb, guiding the Red Dragons through successive promotions and into the EFL’s higher reaches. His knack for delivering results – and handling the pressure that comes with being one of the most talked-about clubs outside the Premier League – has earned him plenty of credit. But in football, sentiment rarely outweighs ambition, and whispers are already swirling about what might happen if Wrexham hit a rough patch.

And into that speculation steps a very familiar name: Steven Gerrard.

The Gerrard Question: Could Wrexham Be His Next Step?

For all the success Parkinson has brought, Reynolds and McElhenney’s long-term vision is crystal clear – they want Premier League football in Wrexham. That means investing heavily, breaking transfer records at the SToK Racecourse, and perhaps, eventually, bringing in a manager with proven top-flight pedigree.

Gerrard, of course, ticks several of those boxes. The former Liverpool and England captain might have endured two disappointing stints at Aston Villa and Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, but his reputation in the game remains strong. His crowning managerial achievement – leading Rangers to Scottish Premiership glory and halting Celtic’s dominance – proved he can handle the pressure of managing at a big club with massive expectations.

Former Wrexham forward Matt Jansen believes Gerrard could be an ideal candidate should Parkinson’s reign falter. Speaking to BettingLounge.co.uk, Jansen was quick to defend the ex-Liverpool skipper’s record:

“I don’t think Gerrard has had a terrible run. He did well at Rangers, then went to Villa and they were mid-table. It’s just that Unai Emery’s done so well since,” Jansen explained.

Gerrard’s experience, Jansen argues, could be exactly what a club like Wrexham needs if they find themselves battling to adapt to Championship life.

Following the Frank Lampard Blueprin

Jansen also sees parallels between Gerrard’s potential move and the path taken by another of his former England teammates, Frank Lampard. After a turbulent few years in the Premier League with Chelsea and Everton, Lampard resurfaced in the Championship, taking the reins at Coventry City – a club with serious promotion ambitions.

It’s a route that offers a manager the chance to rebuild a reputation away from the constant glare of the top-flight spotlight, while still working at a competitive, ambitious level.

“I think he’ll want to come back and do what Frank’s done,” Jansen said. “Take a Championship club with ambition and one that has a real chance of getting promoted. If Wrexham struggle, that could be a good fit for him. He’d definitely have the backing, and with his contacts, I’m sure he could attract some big-name players too.”

There’s little doubt that Gerrard’s phonebook is bursting with former teammates, ex-opponents, and rising stars who would take his call. For Wrexham, a club already enjoying unprecedented attention thanks to the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, having a globally recognised figure in the dugout could further boost their pull in the transfer market.

The Reality for Phil Parkinson

Gerrard is hypothetical – and probably unwelcome for Phil Parkinson Wrexham 

Of course, all this talk about Gerrard is hypothetical – and probably unwelcome for Phil Parkinson right now. After all, the man has more than earned the trust of both the board and the fanbase. Under his guidance, Wrexham have developed a fearless, front-foot style and forged an identity that resonates well beyond North Wales.

But the Championship is a different beast. It’s a relentless, physically demanding league where resources, tactics, and adaptability are tested weekly. Even with Reynolds and McElhenney’s millions, survival – let alone promotion – is far from guaranteed.

Wrexham’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton on opening day, captured in all its highs and lows for the cameras of “Welcome to Wrexham” series five, was a reminder that the margin for error in the second tier is razor-thin. A few months of poor results could quickly shift the conversation from loyalty to practicality.

Hollywood Dreams and Football Realities

Al-Ittihad v Al-Ettifaq – Saudi Pro League

The presence of Reynolds and McElhenney ensures Wrexham are never far from the headlines. Their commitment to the club goes beyond PR – they’ve put real money into recruitment, infrastructure, and marketing. They understand that the best way to keep the global spotlight shining on Wrexham is to keep moving forward.

That’s why the Gerrard speculation, while premature, makes sense in a broader context. The owners are dreamers, yes, but they’re also pragmatic enough to make big calls if it means pushing the project closer to the Premier League.

In Gerrard, they’d have a manager whose name alone commands respect in dressing rooms across the world. Pair that with the club’s existing upward trajectory and the Hollywood factor, and Wrexham could become one of the most attractive Championship destinations for players – and perhaps even a few Premier League loanees – in 2026.

What Happens Next?

For now, the job belongs firmly to Parkinson, and rightly so. His challenge is to keep Wrexham competitive in a league where the jump in quality from League One is stark. If he can steady the ship and keep them out of relegation trouble, there’ll be little appetite for change.

But football is a results business. Should the Red Dragons find themselves drifting towards the wrong end of the table, the allure of bringing in a high-profile figure like Steven Gerrard could become hard to resist.

It would be a bold move, laden with risk and reward. Get it right, and Wrexham’s journey from non-league obscurity to the brink of the Premier League could gain even more momentum. Get it wrong, and the dream could stall before it reaches the top flight.

Either way, the mere fact that Gerrard’s name is being linked with Wrexham says everything about how far the club has come – and how much higher they’re aiming.