3 potential Phil Parkinson replacements Wrexham should be considering amid mounting pressure

Wrexham’s difficult opening to the Championship campaign has placed Phil Parkinson under increasing scrutiny, with the club now facing questions about whether a change in the dugout could be required.

The Red Dragons narrowly missed out on the play-offs on the final day of last season, but their ambitions have remained firmly focused on promotion. However, their current campaign has fallen well short of expectations.

Parkinson has been in charge at the SToK Cae Ras since 2021 and has overseen an extraordinary rise, taking Wrexham from the National League to the Championship through three successive promotions. For the first time during his tenure, though, his position appears vulnerable.

Wrexham have collected only seven points from their first seven league matches, with a 3-0 win away to Millwall their only victory. Matters became considerably worse on Friday when West Ham inflicted a humiliating 6-0 defeat, the heaviest loss of Parkinson’s Wrexham career.

The timing could hardly be more uncomfortable, with Southampton due at the SToK Cae Ras next weekend. Wrexham were beaten 5-1 by the Saints earlier this year, meaning another promotion contender awaits them.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have consistently shown faith in Parkinson, but the upcoming international break could provide an opportunity for the owners to consider their options if they decide a managerial change is necessary.

Here are three potential candidates Wrexham could consider.

Scott Parker

Wrexham have continued to spend heavily in their attempt to reach the Premier League, bringing in players such as Anthony Patterson, Danny Imray, Jacques Ekomie and Callum O’Hare for sizeable fees.

If that investment is to produce promotion, the club could look towards a manager with a proven record of achieving exactly that in the Championship.

Scott Parker would certainly fit the profile.

The former Burnley manager has achieved promotion from the Championship in each of his three campaigns at this level. He guided Fulham through the play-offs in 2019/20 before taking Bournemouth and Burnley up as runners-up in 2021/22 and 2024/25 respectively.

His work with Burnley was particularly impressive. Parker’s side finished with 100 points and conceded only 16 goals, demonstrating an outstanding level of defensive organisation.

There is, however, one significant concern. Parker has struggled whenever he has stepped into the Premier League, suffering relegation three times. Wrexham may therefore question whether he is the right coach to take them beyond the Championship.

Sean Dyche

If Wrexham want to avoid completely changing their footballing identity, Sean Dyche could be an intriguing alternative.

Parkinson has enjoyed considerable success with a direct and physically demanding approach, and Dyche has built his managerial reputation around many of those same principles.

His breakthrough came at Burnley, where he spent almost a decade and guided the club to two promotions into the Premier League. He subsequently established the Clarets in the top flight and even secured European football following a seventh-place finish in 2017/18.

Dyche also helped Everton survive a difficult relegation battle during his 18-month spell at Goodison Park.

His most recent job was at Nottingham Forest, where he recorded 10 victories in 25 matches before being dismissed after less than four months in February.

Although Dyche would not represent the most fashionable appointment, his track record of delivering results despite financial limitations could appeal to Wrexham’s ownership.

At 55, he also has the experience required to handle the considerable expectations surrounding the club.

Steve Cooper

Alternatively, Wrexham could decide that a new era requires a more progressive style of football, which would bring Steve Cooper into consideration.

Cooper developed his coaching credentials within Liverpool and England’s youth setups before taking charge of Swansea City in 2019.

He guided Swansea to consecutive Championship play-off campaigns, although they were unable to secure promotion on either occasion.

Cooper eventually achieved that goal with Nottingham Forest in 2021/22. His achievement was particularly impressive because Forest were bottom of the Championship when he took over, yet he transformed their fortunes and eventually led them into the Premier League via the play-offs.

He kept Forest in the top flight the following season before leaving in December 2023.

Since then, Cooper’s managerial career has been less successful. Short spells at Leicester City and Brondby failed to produce the same impact, meaning Wrexham would have to weigh his recent struggles against his proven Championship credentials.

Still, Cooper remains an experienced manager at this level, and the opportunity to return to Wales could make the Wrexham job especially attractive.

With Parkinson facing his first serious spell of pressure since taking charge, Wrexham’s next few results could determine whether these names remain hypothetical alternatives or become genuine candidates for the role.