Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been urged to dispense with manager Phil Parkinson and appoint Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg as the Welsh club aim to finally reach the Premier League. The club have endured a difficult start to life in the second-tier after flying up the divisions from non-league, and the pressure is ramping up on the Wrexham head coach.
Wrexham's difficult start
The Welsh club have flown up the divisions since Reynolds and Mac took the reigns, but have appeared to hit something of a plateau after their promotion into the Championship. Thus far this season, Phil Parkinson's side have won just two of their 10 games, drawing four and losing four. As a result, they sit 19th in the table, and are already eight points behind the play-off places, increasing the pressure on manager Parkinson. Now, Anders Limpar has insisted that the club should make a change, and look towards a former Invincible in Ljungberg.
AdvertisementAFPLimpar's recommendation
Limpar told Hajper: "Should Ryan Reynolds speak to Freddie Ljungberg about the Wrexham job in the future? Yes, why not! Freddie Ljungberg is a good communicator. I think he’s ready to step in to take on another team. He has the right personality.
"Unfortunately he got the sack from Wolfsburg and then suddenly he just stopped but that’s not fair on Freddie because when he talks about football, he is a very clever guy and he can see the systems as an analyst as well. For whoever gives him another chance, he will be an unbelievable manager.
"In general, if you ask a Swedish person about Wrexham they don't have a clue but for those of us who are following the Premier League and the Championship, for sure they are known as a small club who are trying to get up the leagues.
"We have (Olof) Mellberg, Freddie and Henrik Larsson. All three are potentially very good managers. It was between Graham Potter and Olof Mellberg for the Swedish job. So give them a chance. There would be no regrets for the club."
Ljungberg's CV
Ljungberg was previously an interim manager at Arsenal but has never actually managed a senior team for any length of time. He did work in the Gunners' coaching staff for some time, doing so between 2016 and 2017, and then again between 2018 and 2020. Upon his departure, he confirmed his desire to pursue new managerial opportunities, but they have not been forthcoming.
At the time, he said: "I have decided to leave my first-team assistant coaching role at Arsenal to progress my management experience. I have been involved with this club on and off since 1998 and am grateful for all the opportunities they have given me both as a player and as a coach.
"I wish Mikel and all the team every success for the season ahead. Thanks also to the fans for their constant support and for always being by my side. I hope we will all meet again soon."
Edu, who was Arsenal's technical director at the time, also lavished praise on the Swede, adding: "We're really sad to see Freddie leave as we know how much he loves Arsenal. However, we know he has had various opportunities over the last 12 months and stuck to the job at Arsenal. Now he has the opportunity to consider other options, and it makes sense for his career at this time.
"Freddie has made a huge contribution in his coaching role, most importantly when he led the team during that difficult period between Unai's departure and Mikel's appointment. We will forever be grateful for what he did then and what he's done since but fully recognise his desire to move on and be a head coach himself."
Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
Wrexham's next fixture comes against Oxford United this weekend, in what could be fairly termed as a six-pointer. Oxford sit 20th, just one place behind Parkinson's side, and will be out for a scalp this weekend. Parkinson will be hopeful of recording three morale-boosting points as they aim to climb the league table.
