'It Takes Time': Phil Parkinson Responds to Wrexham's Promotion Miss

Wrexham finished 7th in the EFL Championship after their final regular-season match ended in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough at home.

The result sees them miss out on the promotion playoffs by one position and two points as Hull City finished 6th with 73 points, while Wrexham finished on 71 points.

Coventry City and Ipswich Town earned direct promotion to the Premier League next season, while Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull City will play in the promotion playoffs; only one of the four will get promoted to the Premier League.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson reflected on his first season with his team in the EFL Championship following consecutive promotions within the English football pyramid.

Parkinson emphasized that many changes within his squad were a factor in a challenging season and called for patience, as reaching the Premier League is the club's main goal.

Phil Parkinson Reflects on Wrexham's EFL Championship Campaign

After the match, Phil Parkinson reflected on Wrexham's 7th-place finish in the EFL Championship, after getting very close to reaching the promotion playoffs.

Parkinson said there were many factors in the challenging season in the Championship. He talked about signings, injuries, and players adapting to the new league.

Parkinson said, "We made a huge amount of changes. It takes time, not just to get to know the lads we're bringing in, but to integrate them. Them moving into the area, get used to us. We picked up some injuries at the start from the new lads, and we took a while. The lads adapted to the level who come up as well, because it is a lot harder. It's a ruthless kind of division."

The Wrexham manager continued to reflect and said, "I think the injuries after January, [Kieffer Moore and Matty James], derailed us to a certain degree. I felt at the time that if we could stay in touching distance till we get those two back, we just couldn't quite get Kieffer back quick enough, we'd have a great chance...We've gone right to the wire, and I can't ask anymore of the lads."

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 11:17 AM.