Mac and Reynolds Support Wrexham Players Amid Rising Global Fame

Rob Mac emphasizes that he and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds deliberately avoid discussing on-field matters with the club’s players, instead leveraging their experience as global celebrities to assist the squad in managing the pressures of increased public attention. Despite Wrexham’s remarkable ascent through the English football leagues and a strong debut season back in the Championship, Mac confirms that the owners do not influence tactics or team selection.

Although Mac and Reynolds maintain a high profile and deep emotional connection to Wrexham, they have consistently refrained from involvement in coaching or managerial decisions. The pair entrusts manager Phil Parkinson and his recruitment team with full control over football operations, a stance that has helped foster a professional atmosphere at STōK Cae Ras, free from the interference sometimes seen in celebrity-owned sports clubs.

Wrexham’s first season in the second tier after a 43-year absence concluded with a seventh-place finish, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot by two points. Reflecting on this, Mac told The Athletic, “I love it. I’m excited. I certainly try and give Phil space. As we do all season. We make zero football decisions, as you know. We just stay out of it.” He added that his conversations with Parkinson during the season tend to be personal, checking on his wellbeing and offering support if needed.

The Disney+ documentary series 'Welcome to Wrexham' has elevated the club’s players to international celebrity status, a rare phenomenon for athletes in the lower tiers of English football. Mac and Reynolds have taken on a mentoring role to help players adjust to this new level of fame, drawing on their own backgrounds in entertainment to guide them through the challenges of public life.

Mac explained, “Again, as you know, we speak to the players quite a bit but it’s never about tactics, football or anything like that. They are young men who are living in the spotlight. We’re used to that, even though we are old men now. At one point we were their age so know what it’s like to live like that. Sometimes we can be helpful in that regard.”

As Wrexham settles into the Championship, the owners recognize the increased competition from established clubs with substantial budgets. They remain committed to a sustainable growth strategy initiated since their 2021 takeover, aiming to build a club capable of competing at the highest level without compromising its identity.

Mac shared insights into his partnership with Reynolds, stating, “I don’t see us falling out. We were just talking yesterday about the summer and next season. We text each other four times a day and talk once a week. We figured out that over the six years (since joining forces to try and buy Wrexham), we have only disagreed once. Not like a huge disagreement. We listen to our advisers and the answers are pretty clear.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in Mac’s home country, the United States, and Reynolds’s Canada, Mac expressed enthusiasm for the event. He plans to attend several matches near Los Angeles and commented, “The biggest tournament in the world. You can feel a difference in the U.S. this year than previous years. A lot of that is down to playing (the tournament) in North America. And a lot of that has to do with the exposure global football has gotten, just in the last four years — never mind the last eight. It’s a real exciting time in this country for the sport.”