Phil Parkinson has done a fine job at Wrexham, as he guided them to three consecutive promotions through the English pyramid from the National League to the Championship.
Promotion is something that is not easy to achieve; however, it is something both Phil Parkinson and Sam Allardyce have done on several occasions.
The pair only faced off against each other on two occasions, with one coming in the FA Cup in January 2017, with Parkinson managing Bolton Wanderers while Allardyce was in charge of Crystal Palace.
The first game finished in a draw, meaning they had to go to a replay, with the former England manager emerging victorious.
It is customary after a game that the managers meet to have a conversation; however, it is unknown how well the two men would get to know each other.
Now, while in conversation with former Wrexham hero Ben Foster, who revealed a text he received from Ryan Reynolds, Sam Allardyce was stunned about what he had to say about Parkinson.
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Sam Allardyce stunned to learn Phil Parkinson is under pressure at Wrexham
The Wrexham manager has helped the club rise through the divisions of English football and has them competing in the second tier for the first time in 43 years.
He has been given the backing by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac after Wrexham spent £33 million to build a squad for the Championship, and this has seemingly heaped pressure upon him.
This has shocked Sam Allardyce, as he spoke to Ben Foster on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“In terms of Wrexham, we mentioned them struggling a bit more in the Championship this year. I’m sure they’ll find their feet soon. Speculation about Parky’s job as well,” the host said.
“Already?” Allardyce said.
“Already, Sam. It’s the way it goes, isn’t it? It’s the world we live in, Sam,” the host said.
“Oh god almighty, no. That’s not the Wrexham fans doing that, is it? Or is it the press? Oh god, ‘He’s brought them as far as he can; let’s have a change.’ Be careful of the devil you don’t know,” Allardyce said.
- READ MORE: Former Wales international believes the news around Phil Parkinson at Wrexham is ‘bonkers’
Sam Allardyce’s finely balanced record against Wrexham
Sam Allardyce and Wrexham were not operating in the same division for much of his managerial career, with the Red Dragons only recently rising through the divisions after years of struggling near the foot of the football league and competing in the National League.
Meanwhile, the Bolton icon spent the majority of his managerial career between the Premier League and the Championship.
| Date | Clubs | Result |
| 3/9/1999 | Wrexham v Notts County | 2-3 |
| 13/4/1999 | Notts County v Wrexham | 1-1 |
| 28/11/1998 | Wrexham v Notts County | 1-0 |
Yet, they did square off on three occasions, Allardyce winning one, Wrexham securing a victory and the other ending in a draw.
All three games came when he was in charge of Notts County between January 1997 and October 1999, the job immediately prior to his work at Bolton.