Born on this day is arguably Sunderland’s worst ever manager, Phil Parkinson. The former Bradford boss is currently managing Wrexham in the National League...
Parkinson had seen success with Bradford back in 2012, defeating Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final in a penalty shootout. The Bantams then beat Premier League side Aston Villa at home 3-1, and winning the tie on aggregate 4-3. Despite losing 5-0 to Swansea in the final, Parkinson received plaudits for the side’s ground breaking cup run, and went on to win promotion from League Two in the same season.
The following season, Parkinson’s men caused more upsets in the FA Cup. They went to Stamford Bridge and no one gave them a chance, especially when they went 2-0 down in the first half! However, Bradford fought back and won the game 4-2, with former Sunderland striker Jon Stead scoring the Bantams’ first goal. Parkinson went on to defeat his future employers Sunderland, thanks to a John O’Shea own goals and another strike from Sunderland flop Stead.
After Bradford, Parkinson joined Bolton in 2016. He led the club to the top of the table, unbeaten in the first month of the season and winning League One’s Manager of the Month. Bolton sealed automatic promotion in Parkinson’s first season with the club, despite Bolton being under a transfer embargo. These financial difficulties continued in the Championship, and it was a huge achievement when Parkinson survived relegation, whereas Sunderland were of course relegated in the same campaign.
When Parkinson arrived on Wearside in October 2019, he took over from Jack Ross but got off to a losing start away at Wycombe. He was clearly nobody’s first choice to be manager, and joined the club to a feeling of apathy. However, things quickly turned around as he marked his first home game with a resounding 5-0 win over Tranmere.
One of Parkinson’s most notable things from his time at Sunderland was his bust-up with Aiden McGeady. Parkinson famously dropped the tricky winger due to his supposed negative impact on the squad. McGeady was made to train with the reserved, before joining Charlton on loan.
The manager seemed stuck in his ways, and was unable to adapt his playing style to suit the squad he had, persisting with a mind-numbing 5 at the back system that simply wasn’t working. His substitutions were far too ponderous, and the signing of Danny Graham raised a number of questions alone.
The club finished eighth in League One, with Parkinson taking the side from pushing for automatic promotion under Ross to missing out of the play-offs altogether. He was eventually relieved of his duties in November 2020, with many suggesting that it was far too late.
Parkinson is now managing non-league side Wrexham, who have been bankrolled by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, and are currently pushing for promotion.
