Former Wrexham boss shares ‘crazy’ rumour he’s heard about Ryan Reynolds era

Former Wrexham boss shares ‘crazy’ rumour he’s heard about Ryan Reynolds era

Former Wrexham manager Dean Saunders has disclosed the extent of the salary increase for Red Dragons players since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took over the club in 2021

Wrexham players are reportedly earning up to 20 times more than they did a mere 15 years ago, following the club’s remarkable rise through the leagues.

Dean Saunders, former manager of the Red Dragons in the National League from 2008 to 2011, revealed that the top salary at that time was approximately £1,500 per week. In stark contrast, he claims that certain members of the current Championship squad are raking in as much as £30,000 per week.

Wrexham have seen tremendous success under Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, soaring from the fifth tier to the second since the duo purchased the club in February 2021. Just a few years back, it was reported that striker Paul Mullin was the Welsh side’s highest earner, pocketing around £4,500 per week.

According to Capology, Wales international Kieffer Moore, who transferred to Wrexham from Sheffield United over the summer, now commands the top wage of £30,000 per week, which amounts to £1.56 million annually.

Saunders has lauded Reynolds and Mac for the substantial financial support they’ve provided to manager Phil Parkinson, who splashed an estimated £33m on signing 13 new players during the summer transfer window.

In a chat with WDW Bingo, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker said: “The owners have certainly put their money where their mouth is this summer, and they have signed some brilliant players.

“It’s unbelievable what they have done since taking over Wrexham, but they have brought together a squad that is more than capable of competing at the top of the Championship.

“I’ve heard on the grapevine that a couple of the players are earning £30,000 a week or more, which is crazy compared to when I was managing Wrexham.

“Our highest paid was getting around £1,500 a week, and it was only 15 years ago. But when the owners came to the club, it was probably around that level as well. The impact they have had on the club is unbelievable.”

Wrexham have had a challenging start in the Championship, securing just four points from their first five matches. The Red Dragons currently sit 21st in the tables, merely one point above the relegation zone.

Reynolds and Mac have previously expressed their ambition of propelling Wrexham into the Premier League. Despite their lacklustre form, Saunders believes it’s a dream which they can still realise after praising their “ruthless” approach to recruitment.

“They’ve spent £33million this summer, which demonstrates the ambitions they have for the club,” he said. “They’re going for it, the aim is the Premier League, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before they are playing on the biggest stage.

“They have been ruthless this summer, both with spending and getting rid of some of the players that have played huge roles in getting them to where they are now. It’s definitely a brave way to manage a football club, but they want to compete with the best, so you always have to be improving the squad.

“The Championship is full of big clubs now and plenty that have been in the Premier League in the past couple of seasons; those squads are full of top players, so I can understand the decisions they have made this summer. They have been ruthless, and it’s exciting.”