Amidst reports that Wrexham are looking to expand their coaching staff, former Manchester United defender Phil Jones was spotted in attendance at their latest home game.
It has been a magical few years for Wrexham. Since being taken over by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the club have won three successive promotions, going from the National League to the Championship in the process under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson.
Parkinson, who earlier in his career, reached the League Cup final with then-League Two side Bradford City, has only bolstered his credentials during his stint in Wales thus far. As was expected, however, the Championship is proving to be a much tougher challenge.
At the time of writing, the Red Dragons have won just one of their opening five matches in the second tier, drawing one and losing three with eight goals scored and 10 conceded. Though it is still early in the season, pressure has started to rise on Parkinson,
In the face of speculation over their manager's job, Wrexham have now been linked with one particular former Premier League defender after he was spotted at the Stok Cae Ras.
Jones Spotted at Racecourse Ground
MixCollage-24-Sep-2024-10-58-AM-5312
In Wrexham's latest match, a 3-1 home defeat against Queens Park Rangers, Phil Jones was spotted alongside Reynolds in the owner's box. Jones is best remembered for his 10-plus-year stint with Manchester United, being part of the 2012/13 Premier League-winning side, with the defender calling time on his career in 2023.
Since retiring as a player, Jones has been working with the Man United under-18s on a voluntary basis, according to journalist Nathan Salt. Though pressure may be mounting on Parkinson, it would appear that Wrexham are also looking to bolster their coaching staff.
It is for the latter, then, that Jones is seemingly being considered. As Salt stated, the former England international could "fit the bill" and in turn, working with Wrexham would offer Jones his first chance at being part of a managerial team at a high level. Parkinson's future may not be set in stone, though should Wrexham look to make a change, it might be that they look for a more experienced coach.