The odds for Wrexham’s next manager have emerged following their 3-1 defeat to QPR over the weekend, with a surprise favourite already taking the top spot. Despite guiding the club to three successive promotions, Phil Parkinson’s position could be under threat, as the northern Welsh side sit just outside the Championship relegation zone in 21st place with four points from their opening five games.
It may seem premature to make a decision about his future, given the leap from League One to England’s second tier – one of the best divisions in the world. But with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney providing a war chest over the summer – allowing him to bring in 13 players for a combined £33 million – expectations at the Racecourse Ground are high.
Now, with the managerial merry-go-round looming once more, the odds have been drawn up according to Betfair, via SportBible. The current favourites are an intriguing mix, reflecting the fact that while Wrexham are still some way from establishing themselves among England’s top clubs, the global spotlight on them has already attracted some big names into the conversation.
Wrexham’s Next Manager Odds
Tony Mowbray – 14/1
Former West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has a proven track record of success in the Championship, having won the league title in 2007/08. He also guided Sunderland back into the second tier as recently as 2022, setting them on the path to a Premier League return three years later. His CV could be exactly what Wrexham’s eager owners are looking for in their pursuit of stability.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 14/1
One of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successes during his time at the helm of Manchester United between 2018 and 2021 was bringing a feel-good factor to an otherwise gloomy dressing room. A true culture cultivator, the Norwegian now manages Besiktas, but he has long harboured a desire to return to the country where he scored so many goals as a player. Wrexham, with its positive environment, seems a perfect fit for him – far removed from the torrid atmosphere he encountered at Old Trafford after years away.
Gareth Southgate – 11/1
Another manager with experience in English football, like everyone else on this list, is Gareth Southgate. Having managed both Middlesbrough and the England national team, the 55-year-old has established himself as one of the most sought-after coaches in world football. However, since suffering a second successive defeat in the European Championship final last summer, he has been out of work. Wrexham will have to act quickly if they want him before Man United come calling, mind.
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 11/1
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the manager of Leicester City in the 2024/2025 season but was sacked after relegation, having overseen a poor record of five wins and 19 defeats in 27 matches. During his tenure, Leicester set a 141-year record for most consecutive home league defeats without scoring, with a total of 18 league games lost under his management by April 2025. Calling this one a gamble would be an understatement.
Steven Gerrard – 9/1
The former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is at 9/1, as he searches for his first job since his stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Having never managed in the Championship before – a division his compatriot Frank Lampard has excelled in – now could be the perfect time to show he’s got what it takes to translate his leadership qualities at Liverpool into a successful managerial career.
Phil Jones – 15/2
At the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign, Jones began a coaching role, working with the Under-14 and Under-18 teams in the Man United academy. Having now been in that role for two full seasons, he could well be on the hunt for a bigger role, though it would seem somewhat counterproductive for the Wrexham hierarchy to take the punt on a first-time manager when they have such lofty ambitions and a fairly strong pulling power at their disposal.
To bolster his chances, though, he was recently spotted sitting behind Ryan Reynold’s during their 3-1 loss against QPR.
Ruben Selles – 7/1
The recently-sacked Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles is at odds of 7/1, although is unlikely to excite Wrexham supporters after losing the opening five games with the Blades. His managerial record across Southampton, Reading, and Hull City also shows mixed results: he achieved promotion and a club record points tally in League One at Reading, but then faced relegation at Southampton and was sacked by Hull.
Sean Dyche – 5/1
Hollywood and entertainment may be a natural pairing, but Sean Dyche’s pragmatic managerial style is anything but glamorous. Still, if Wrexham value results and effectiveness over spectacle, the former Burnley and Everton boss could be an ideal fit, even if it’s more likely that off-field happenings will be more geared towards documentary material than the football being played on it.
Gary O’Neil – 4/1
Former Bournemouth and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil is second on the list at 4/1. After a mixed season on the south coast, he was sacked before he joined Wolves in the summer of 2023. He finished 14th in his first season with Wolves, but was relieved of his duties once again in December 2024 with the club 19th and four points from safety. Having operated in the Premier League for most of his career, a slight step down could suit him.
Danny Rohl – 3/1
The current favourite at 3/1 is former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl. The 35-year-old impressed many last season by guiding the Owls to a respectable 12th-place finish in the Championship despite the backdrop of severe financial turmoil. He departed in the summer with the club still in disarray, but his stock has only risen.
Rohl has already been linked with several Championship vacancies and was even on Leicester City’s shortlist to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy before those talks fell through. With Wrexham’s Hollywood owners showing no hesitation to bankroll ambition, the prospect of a serious promotion push could be enough to tempt him into the Racecourse hot seat.