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Parkinson hailed as underrated mastermind after Wrexham’s FA Cup heroics

Wrexham’s remarkable rise under Phil Parkinson continued as they booked a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town — and Robbie Savage believes the manager is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

A decisive strike from Josh Windass secured the win at the Racecourse Ground, sending the Red Dragons into the last 16 for the first time in nearly three decades. It marks another milestone in an extraordinary period for the North Wales club, who are also pushing for a Championship play-off place as they continue their rapid climb up the English football pyramid.

Since arriving in July 2021, Parkinson has overseen three successive promotions, guiding Wrexham from the National League to the Championship. Along the way, his side have also made waves in the FA Cup — including a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in the previous round.

Former Wales international Robbie Savage believes that consistent success highlights just how underrated Parkinson remains. Speaking on TNT Sports, Savage argued that doubts have followed the manager at every level, yet he continues to silence critics.

Savage pointed out that each promotion has been met with scepticism about whether Parkinson could succeed in a higher division — only for him to prove people wrong again. He also referenced his past cup success with Bradford City, where he famously led them to victory over Chelsea, showing his pedigree against top-tier opposition.

According to Savage, Parkinson’s achievements — both in league campaigns and knockout competitions — make him one of the standout managers in the game right now.

Parkinson, however, was keen to stay grounded after the Ipswich win. He stressed the importance of embracing special moments like an FA Cup run but quickly turned attention to the next challenge: a demanding away fixture against Bristol City in midweek league action.

The Wrexham boss emphasised that backing up their victory over Nottingham Forest with another strong performance was crucial, and he expressed pride in his squad for seizing the opportunity to make more history.