Rene Meulensteen believes Robbie Savage has the personality, experience and growing managerial pedigree to thrive at Wrexham
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham's Racecourse ground
Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds have been given some surprising advice on Wrexham's next manager(Image: Cody Froggatt)
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Hollywood-owned Wrexham have been given a surprise verdict, with Robbie Savage tipped as the ideal "showman" to lead their long-term Premier League ambitions.
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen believes Savage has the personality, experience and growing managerial pedigree to thrive at a club of Wrexham's profile. The former Premier League and Wales midfielder has deep ties to the Championship side, co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.
Born and raised in Wrexham, Savage has often expressed his affection for his hometown club. After a top-flight playing career with Leicester, Birmingham and Blackburn, the 51-year-old moved into punditry before stepping into management.
That journey began at Macclesfield, where he helped relaunch the phoenix club as a board member before becoming head coach. In his first full season in charge, Savage led the Silkmen to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2024–25, sealing promotion and earning plaudits for handling the pressure of rebuilding the club.
That success paved the way for the United academy graduate's current role at Forest Green Rovers, where he continues to develop his managerial credentials. Speaking about Savage's gradual move into management, Meulensteen told Casinostugan his blend of experience and charisma could make him an ideal fit for Wrexham's unique project.
He said: "When he got involved with Macclesfield as a sort of co-owner and did some stuff there it must have ticked his desire to have a go at it and to be fair he’s doing it the right way at a club like Forest Green Rovers. Nothing too big, too soon.
Forest Green manager Robbie Savage
Wrexham have been told Robbie Savage would be a good manager for the club(Image: Getty Images)
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"He's gone in there to have a look to see if he really likes it and how he can shape the team and manage the players and what he likes and dislikes on a daily basis, and he's done a great job. I'm sure he has plenty of charisma with the way he talks to the players.
"When you are a pundit and co-commentator like Robbie has been, it shows he has some good experience because he played himself at a very good level and now he's taking that experience into management."
Discussing Savage's future prospects, Meulensteen added: "Who knows. Maybe another club in League Two or League One or maybe even the Championship will decide, 'Let's have a go with Robbie and see how he does'. He could be the perfect sort of showman for Wrexham and what they're doing."
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson speaks to TNT Sports
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has done a remarkable job at the club(Image: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty)
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Savage may have Meulensteen's backing for the Wrexham job if it were to become available. However, the North Wales outfit are highly unlikely to part ways with current manager Phil Parkinson, who has overseen one of the most successful spells in the club's history.
The former Sunderland and Bolton boss has led Wrexham to three consecutive promotions since taking the helm in July 2021, guiding them from the National League into the Championship. They currently sit tenth in the standings in the second tier, just three points shy of the play-off places in their first campaign at that level in 43 years.
Speculation emerged at the start of the season that Parkinson's job could be under threat after a shaky opening, but the rumours were quickly quashed. Club chief executive Michael Williamson has since reinforced his belief that Parkinson is the man to take Wrexham to the top flight.
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Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Sport on Saturday, he said: "Whoever was saying that [about Parkinson's job being at risk] was absolutely just foolish. Phil has been the best signing and absolutely the core of developing what Wrexham is.
"He understood immediately what the fans in this town and this community expect out of a football club. When you bring in 13 players, like we did in the summer, and you see them now throwing their bodies on the line in front of balls, sacrificing everything – that's the Phil Parkinson way.
"That's the Wrexham way and that's what he is able to get the dressing room to do. We're getting points consistently here. He's an absolutely fantastic manager."