Wrexham secured a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win over Ipswich Town and are in the hunt for a place in the playoffs as they seek Premier League promotion
Ryan Reynolds has been left in no doubt about Phil Parkinson’s achievements at Wrexham(Image: Joe Prior/Getty Images)
Robbie Savage has hailed Phil Parkinson as one of the most underrated bosses in the game after Wrexham secured their place in the FA Cup fifth round.
Josh Windass struck the decisive goal as the Red Dragons beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night. The result saw the North Wales outfit reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time in 29 years.
Wrexham boss Parkinson has delivered unprecedented success since taking charge in July 2021, securing three consecutive promotions from the National League to the Championship. His side have already knocked out Premier League opposition during their FA Cup run after defeating Nottingham Forest on penalties in the previous round.
They are also competing for a play-off spot in the league and Savage believes their cup heroics and relentless rise underline why Parkinson continues to prove his doubters wrong.
Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Wales midfielder said: “He’s probably one of the most underestimated managers because every time Wrexham get promoted or have a Premier League side, people are underestimating them.
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“He has done an unbelievable job at this football club and is proving people wrong that he can do it against Premier League sides. He’s done it for Bradford against Chelsea and he’s doing it in the league.
“Every season they go up, it’s, ‘He can’t do it in that league,’ but he’s proving everybody wrong. I think he’s one of the best managers right now because of what he’s achieving.”
Parkinson said he was keen to enjoy the moment after his side’s latest cup success, with a tough test awaiting them away at Bristol City in the league on Tuesday evening.
Phil Parkinson has achieved huge success at Wrexham(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
He said: “We spoke before the game about our chance to create a bit of history. We’ve done it and I’m so pleased because it was always going to be a tough game against a very good side.
“Every season in football is special, you’ve got to savour it and the FA Cup is part of that. It was important that we backed up the Nottingham Forest win with another win.
“This season, with the challenge of being in the Championship and now an FA Cup run, we want to enjoy it and we certainly did tonight.”
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Last week marked the five year anniversary of Wrexham’s takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. Parkinson said the win over Ipswich was a fitting way to mark the occasion.
He said: “I think it’s great for our owners, Rob and Ryan, it was their fifth year anniversary and to get them into the fifth round is great for them as well.
“We can really look forward to the draw on Monday night when we’re in the hotel in Bristol. We’ll savour that. But like we did last time, [it’s the] back burner now for the FA Cup and concentrate on the league.”