Who would have imagined Wrexham to take a leap of faith and jump from the National League to EFL League One in three rapid years? Quite stunning isn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what the doctor ordered when Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club in 2020. They had a vision – to be the best. And that’s exactly what they did in the previous seasons. Now, they have even more lofty ambitions.
Everyone knows reaching European competitions is the pinnacle of soccer. Beforehand, there used to be the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Now, there is a European Conference League where the teams can enter the competition if they rank in certain places. As for Wrexham, they have an opportunity to enter Europe.
Three years back, if you say this to a Wrexham fan, they would laugh hysterically. Not anymore!
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via Getty
WREXHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 09: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Co-owners of Wrexham AFC Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds await the arrival of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort as they visit Wrexham Association Football Club on December 9, 2022 in Wrexham, Wales. Formed in 1864 Wrexham AFC is the oldest club in Wales and the third oldest professional team in the world. The club was taken over by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in late 2020. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Do you believe Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can lead Wrexham to European football?
Yes, they have the vision
Maybe, with the right investments
Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo can turn things around for Al Nassr despite the recent setbacks?
Maybe, if the team improves
Can Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s bold moves really propel Wrexham to European football glory?
Join The Debate
Do you think Manchester United would have dominated European football if Sir Alex Ferguson had signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale?
Absolutely, they missed out big time
No, it wouldn’t have made a difference
Maybe, but it’s hard to say
Do you think Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona has negatively impacted the careers of young players like Sergiño Dest?
How worried are you about Manchester City’s chances in the UEFA Champions League without Erling Haaland?
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Participating in the Welsh League Cup could be a way for Wrexham to make it to Europe. Apart from the Welsh soccer club, Cardiff City, Newport County, and Swansea City are the other clubs in talks to join the competition. It could become a fine financial boost for these clubs because playing in Europe will get the team recognition. For years, both Ryan and Rob tried hard to put the club on the map. Their show Welcome to Wrexham got them the applause and support they deserved. Hence, things look sensational for the soccer club.
But there is a catch. The clubs would need to sacrifice potential qualifications through English competitions. Usually, clubs get a chance to qualify through Europe after winning the EFL Cup. Notably, Swansea City did that in 2013 after they won the competition and made it to the Europa League. Apparently, Wrexham and the three other clubs proposed this vision to UEFA, FA, Premier League, and Welsh top-flight clubs. Yet, will it be opposed?
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With this proposal, the rest of the clubs in the Welsh League Cup could find it hard to qualify for Europe. If Wrexham and other EFL clubs perform in the Welsh Cup, the gulf of quality would be immense. It would be hard for other clubs to qualify, and that could cause a mess. To sum up, some clubs could oppose this decision.
Wrexham could easily qualify for Europe through those rounds and the smaller clubs would suffer. So there is a crucial decision to make. Either Wrexham can enter the league by still playing in England. Otherwise, they could have the opportunity to qualify through the Welsh League Cup. Fans are excited at the prospects though and even Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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