WAYNE ROONEY and Steven Gerrard are two of the leading fancies to take over at Wrexham, with Phil Parkinson under severe pressure.
But the England heroes – and a host of Manchester United legends – are both trailing a former Premier League manager in the betting.
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Phil Parkinson is under huge pressure at Wrexham after being dumped out the cup by CardiffCredit: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire
Wayne Rooney is one of the high-profile names linked with taking his jobCredit: Getty Images
The Red Dragons became the first side in English football history to achieve three successive promotions last season.
Parkinson’s feat will undoubtedly have bought him time with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
However, what’s also unquestionable is the pair’s desire to take the Welsh club into the Premier League and a stuttering start in the second tier has them up against things this season.
Wrexham are currently 16th in the Championship table, five points ahead of the relegation zone and a point and a place behind last year’s League One title rivals, Birmingham – showing how difficult the step up is.
They’ve won just three of their 12 league games to date – one of their last seven – and Tuesday night saw them lose the “Welsh derby” 2-1 at home to League One side Cardiff.
Boos rung round the Racecourse Ground at full time as Parkinson had made changes for the game which cost his team a chance to progress in the Carabao Cup. Might it ultimately end up costing him his job?
And if the A-list owners reckon he’s taken the club as far as he can, the bookmaker odds suggest there’s a sensational pool of managers to choose from.
Wrexham’s form has left Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with a decision to makeCredit: Getty Images
Next Wrexham manager odds
Odds from Betfair on next Wrexham manager
- Gary O’Neil – 3/1
- Wayne Rooney – 5/1
- Michael Carrick – 5/1
- Phil Jones – 15/2
- Steve Bruce – 8/1
- Steven Gerrard – 9/1
- Robert Page – 10/1
- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 11/1
- Gareth Southgate – 11/1
- Craig Bellamy – 12/1
- Tony Mowbray – 14/1
- Steve Cooper – 20/1
Next Wrexham manager odds
Gary O’Neil (3/1) is the current favourite with Betfair to replace under-pressure Phil Parkinson.
O’Neil has been strongly linked with vacancies at Rangers and Celtic in recent weeks and also with Birmingham City, who themselves will have been keen for a better start to life in the Championship.
He remains out of work but would likely relish a crack at this.
Then comes Wayne Rooney at 5/1, alongside ex-team-mate Michael Carrick who is out of work after leaving Middlesbrough.
Rooney hasn’t been in a dugout since leaving Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Eve last year after a disappointing start to the season.
A real blockbuster name for the Hollywood owners if they wanted, Rooney could be persuaded to give up his numerous media roles to be handed a crack at the Reds.
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Though would need to improve his 25.3% win rate across the four clubs he’s managed.
Two more Man Utd heroes follow in Phil Jones (15/2) and Steve Bruce (8/1) with the latter eyeing his first role in management as he continues his development in United’s academy.
Steven Gerrard (9/1) recently knocked back returning to Ibrox due to the ‘timing’ so remains available and would be another statement appointment for Wrexham if he could be lured back into management.
Gerrard has been out of work after leaving Saudi Arabia with his family still living out in the Middle East.
Former Wales boss Robert Page (10/1) follows next, ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Gareth Southgate at 11/1.
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