Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has pinpointed the surprising philosophy that has underpinned Wrexham's fairy-tale ascent through English football. The actor, who co-owns the club with Rob McElhenney, credits their willingness to admit ignorance as the foundation for the team's remarkable progress.
The Power of Delegation
Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham in February 2021, when the historic Welsh club was struggling in the National League. Despite their global fame, both were novices in football club management. Reynolds now states that openly acknowledging this was their greatest strength.
In a reflective post to his 50 million-plus Instagram followers after a recent 2-0 Championship win over Blackburn Rovers, the Canadian star wrote about the club's journey. He highlighted "the power of embracing the words, 'I don't know' and letting those who DO... who know the town, the sport, the significance of its stadium... magic happens."
A Hands-Off Approach to Football
This admission of inexperience has led to a deliberately hands-off strategy regarding on-pitch matters. Reynolds has consistently emphasised that he and McElhenney do not interfere in football decisions, instead placing their trust in manager Phil Parkinson and the sporting staff.
"We don't make football decisions," Reynolds told Sky Sports last year. "And it's actually the great gift of that is that we're able to have relationships with the players at Wrexham, whereas most people in our position can't."
This approach has yielded extraordinary results. Under Parkinson, Wrexham have achieved three consecutive promotions, catapulting them into the Championship. They currently sit ninth, just a point off the play-off places, and are dreaming of an unprecedented fourth straight promotion to the Premier League.
Building on a Global Phenomenon
The club's success on the field has been magnified by the global reach of the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series, which has turned the team into an international brand. This visibility has been bolstered by significant investment, including a £33 million summer spending spree in 2025, with further reinforcements expected in the January 2026 transfer window.
Reynolds' recent comments echo sentiments he shared in an interview with Men's Health shortly after the takeover. He explained, "I'm very comfortable sharing power and sharing money. I'm very comfortable stepping aside when needed... those kinds of things are the most freeing things." He also praised his partnership with McElhenney, built on mutual vulnerability and trust.
As Wrexham continues its against-the-odds charge up the football pyramid, the owners' philosophy of empowered humility remains the club's guiding principle, proving that sometimes, knowing what you don't know is the smartest move of all.
