PHIL PARKINSON boasts more than two decades’ experience as a manager and the 56-year-old says he has learnt to “enjoy the job a lot more” as time goes by.

After playing over 500 league games for Bury and Reading in an 18-year playing career, Parkinson took his first steps in management with Colchester United in 2003.

Spells in the dugout at Hull City, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland followed before Parkinson was appointed Wrexham boss on July 1, 2021.

Parkinson celebrated three promotions before his arrival at The Racecourse and there has been more success since he was brought in by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney three years ago.

Wrexham clinched the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign and followed it up by finishing runners-up in League Two last season, securing back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.

Parkinson has seen it all in his time as a football boss but he can tell a difference in the way he has gone about the role over the years.

“I would like to say I’m calmer but probably not!” joked Parkinson.

“I think I have probably learnt to enjoy the job a lot more.

“Certainly when you start managing, it is an absolute whirlwind.

“You can’t believe how all encompassing managing is, it really does take over your life. It is non-stop.

“Sometimes when I was at Colchester, I was in every single day of the week. I never had a day off.

“But as I have grown more experienced, I have learned you have to have those days away so you have time to reflect and let decisions come to you more.

“I think that is probably the biggest aspect.”

Deadpool star Reynolds and McElhenney, who created and starred in the American comedy television series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, became co-chairmen in February 2021 and Parkinson was the first managerial appointment by the actors when he replaced Dean Keates.

Ambitious Wrexham have gone from the National League to League One under Parkinson who is enjoying the journey in north Wales.

“Where do I see the club in five years? Obviously we are ambitious to progress,” added the Reds’ boss.

“The club itself is developing a lot of areas.

“There’s a lot of work commercially going on in the background.

“I am enjoying being a part of it and hopefully it continues.”