Wrexham AFC’s Commitment to Stability
Shaun Harvey, the non-executive director of Wrexham AFC, has expressed strong disapproval regarding recent rumors suggesting that manager Phil Parkinson could be losing his position. Referring to the speculation as an “absolute disgrace,” Harvey emphasized the club’s commitment to not succumbing to panic amidst a rocky start to the Championship season, where Wrexham currently occupies the 21st position with only one victory in five matches.
Support for Phil Parkinson
Despite having achieved three consecutive promotions under Parkinson’s leadership, the team’s lackluster performance has prompted local media reports indicating that club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney might have commenced discussions about the manager’s future. In response, Harvey firmly denied any truth to these claims, stating on the Fearless in Devotion podcast:
“There is going to be speculation… but to start quoting discussions and meetings that have taken place is the bit that’s the disgrace. It’s just nonsense.”
He clarified that while the team is understandably disappointed in its current standings, there has been no formal agenda or discussions regarding Parkinson’s job security. Harvey stated:
“Phil has everybody at the club’s full support. I’m saying he’s got our full support. You can only give somebody a vote of confidence when you’ve actually discussed the future, and it hasn’t been on the agenda yet.”
Long-term Vision
Harvey further underscored the board’s long-standing backing of Parkinson, who has been at the helm since Reynolds and McElhenney took ownership, noting:
“Why should we start panicking now? Phil’s our man, we’re standing by him. He needs to be given time to move us back up the table and give us the best chance of success.”
Harvey also indicated that if the situation ever necessitated a decision on Parkinson’s future, both Reynolds and McElhenney would be consulted—highlighting their involvement in critical managerial decisions in the past, such as the dismissal of Dean Keates in 2021. He concluded:
“On the day we’ve got a problem, we’ll deal with it then. But, honestly, we’re a long way from that at the moment.”
