Exclusive: Wrexham AFC sent "massive overhaul" warning ahead of Championship season | OneFootball

The Red Dragons are preparing for life in the second-tier for the first time since 1982

Don Goodman believes Wrexham's current squad is in need of a "massive overhaul" as they prepare for life in the Championship.

The recent success story at the Stok Cae Ras has been one of the most well-documented in world football, in no small part down to the ownership group of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, alongside the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries, which has become essential viewing for football supporters across the globe ever since their £2m takeover four years ago.

On the pitch, Phil Parkinson's men couldn't have written a better script as the former Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers boss has masterminded three successive promotions - becoming the only team in EFL history to achieve such a feat - and as a result, a first taste of second-tier football in 43 years.

Next season, the Red Dragons will be facing off against the likes of Leicester City, who pulled off their own fairytale Premier League triumph nine years ago, with the Welsh outfit finishing ninth in the National League during the same campaign behind the likes of Braintree Town and Dover Athletic.

Unsurprisingly, Goodman has hailed the club's achievements this season, which surpassed his own expectations, but has issued a stern warning to their experienced boss and his recruitment team ahead of the forthcoming transfer window.

Don Goodman issues clear Wrexham AFC warning after achieving three successive promotions

When asked if Parkinson could keep up the momentum gathered in North Wales, the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Football League World: "The first thing to do is to pay homage to Phil Parkinson and Wrexham. Because, honestly, hand on heart, I didn't think they'd be able to bridge the gap between League Two and be automatically promoted (from League One)".

"I honestly thought a top-half finish would have been a roaring success," the former striker stated. "For them to finish second behind a very impressive Birmingham is an unbelievable achievement."

"However, I don't think it's going to be as straightforward (in the Championship)," he claimed. "I think that squad will need a massive overhaul if Wrexham are going to compete.

"Ipswich are the outlier, obviously, back-to-back promotions. But, when you look at the three teams who've come up from last season - Portsmouth, Oxford and Derby County - they've all had relegation issues and, of course, Derby still do.

"The season before, Plymouth, who have now gone and Sheffield Wednesday, who came up along with Ipswich, had a real relegation scrap," he explained.

"I do think it's a big gap, and it won't be easy to bridge. The question is, can he (Parkinson) make the step-up into the Championship with ease?"

"I would say, it won't be easy," Goodman concluded.

Phil Parkinson will be all-too aware of the gap between Championship and League One

Although the circumstances which surround Wrexham are in complete contrast, Parkinson's days at Bolton Wanderers will make the 57-year-old aware of what is required to consolidate in the division, having masterminded a dramatic last-minute escape on the final day of the 2017/18 season before a dismal relegation campaign the following year amid a backdrop of mass financial uncertainty.

It remains to be seen what the extent of the Red Dragons' financial resources will be after promotion, with it being estimated that the club's value could soar up to the £150m mark as a result, as well as it being claimed that they and Birmingham will target a similar calibre of player to the likes of Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton.

There is a nice blend of youth and experience for Parkinson to call upon. However, some of his key players are reaching the latter stages of their careers, so fresh blood may be needed in that regard, as well as whether the likes of Max Cleworth and Arthur Okonkwo can adjust to the step-up in class, with the second-tier bound to have plenty of unforgiving and formidable strike forces.