PHIL PARKINSON jumped at the chance to be part of an exciting project at Wrexham and says the club's mega star owners' desire and commitment to be successful at The Racecourse appealed to him.

The 53-year-old, who has been in charge of six clubs including Bradford, Bolton and Sunderland since taking his first steps in management nearly 20 years ago, has been appointed the new Reds' boss on a 12-month rolling contract.

At the helm for Wrexham's 14th campaign in non-league which kicks off on Saturday August 21, Parkinson says he was sold by the vision for the club after speaking with Les Reed, who has coached at every level of the game, both nationally and internationally, and is an advisor at The Racecourse, and co-chairman Rob McElhenney.

"I spoke to Les and he spoke to me about the plans for the club," said Parkinson.

"Obviously I know all about Wrexham anyway because of the history and its stature in the game..

"Then I spoke to Rob and he just sold the vision and the plans for the club going forward.

"I just thought what an exciting project to be part of and I was really keen to play my part in the journey that the club is about to embark on.

"It's a great challenge and it is one that I am really looking forward to."

With Dean Keates' contract not extended after Wrexham failed to clinch a play-off spot last season, Parkinson becomes the first manager brought in by Hollywood A-listers McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds who completed their takeover of the club in February.

Parkinson believes the structure put in place at The Racecourse by the duo shows just how eager they are to make a success of their high-profile purchase of the third oldest professional club in the world.

"It is certainly different but taking their status in Hollywood anyway, it is the genuine determination to mark a mark at this football club and in the area which really appeals to me," said Parkinson.

"They are so committed to putting into practice what they have promised and I am determined to give everything I have got to play my part in that.

"I have met a lot of people in football and one thing which really impressed me was the structure the owners have put in place to run the football club.

"I think that is absolutely key because success doesn't come easy.

"Building blocks have got to be put in place all the way through to improve all aspects of the football club and make this club strong for many years to come."

Parkinson, who has three promotions on his CV as a manager, is relishing getting the opportunity to work for two famous actors.

“It’s great for myself, for my family – everyone is really looking forward to it. We’re going to embrace the challenge and it is exciting," said Parkinson.

"For the area as well, the amount of exposure Wrexham has had in recent months, hopefully that will gather more momentum as we get a winning team on the pitch.

"I spoke to Rob at length last week. We had a very long chat on a zoom call.

"He has got an incredible passion for being successful at this football club."

n Wrexham AFC will face Sheffield Wednesday at Middlewood Road - the Owls’ training facility - in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday July 24.