SO, Brian Flynn, Kevin Reeves and Joey Jones have indicated their desire to leave the club at the end of the season. The reasons for their collective disenchantment have been well documented: the club's lack of money and lack of ambition.
But is it a good thing for Flynn to stay on until May? And, who should succeed him?
I'd rather the manager not leave at all, but if he's going to go, I believe he should exit now. To be honest, I don't think he can win. If Wrexham struggle for the rest of the season with him in charge, he will be accused of "not being committed to the cause". If his team surges into the promotion frame, everyone will be asking him to carry on and it will be
very difficult for his successor.
Think about Sven Goran Eriksson's messy departure from Lazio; think about Sir Alex at United. Telling all and sundry months in advance you're going to leave a club is a recipe for confusion. In addition, what happens if Flynn gets a job offer he can't refuse some time between now and the end of the season? And what happens if the man Wrexham want as their next boss won't wait until May?
Which brings us on to the really big question. I think heirs to the throne can be broken down into four main categories.
First, there are the senior pros currently at the club. Brian Carey, Kevin Russell and Darren Ferguson have all been mooted as player-coach or player-manager - but I believe Wrexham need someone who's been around a bit.
There are, second, the "Welsh icons": Ian Rush, Neville Southall and Mark Hughes. However, ex-Reds striker Rush has said he's not interested, Big Nev has very little suitable experience, and Wrexham-born Hughes already has plenty on his plate.
Third, two names from recent Dragons history demand attention: ex-boss Dixie McNeil and Eddie Niedzwiecki, now manager of the Arsenal reserve team.
I'm pretty sure the former would jump at the chance. But if money was no object, and he wanted to come, the latter would be my number one choice. Niedzwiecki's time with Wales, and at Stamford Bridge and Highbury, has won him a high-pedigree reputation as a coach.
Which leaves, fourth, a pool of experienced lower-division managers. John Hollins? Jan Molby? John Rudge? Kevin Ratcliffe? John Aldridge? The latter two are the red-hot favourites. Ratcliffe has gained plaudits at Shrewsbury and his Chester connections would, hopefully, be outweighed by his powerful patriotic credentials.
Aldridge has good recent, relevant experience. He did for Tranmere what Flynn has done for Wrexham - keeping them afloat and achieving the odd miracle - but when he left Prenton Park he announced he was tired of working at a small club with no money. So you've got to ask: would he really want to move to another small club with no money?
I have a sneeking regard for Kidderminster's Molby, but being realistic, I think it's between Ratcliffe and Aldridge - and the fact that the latter is currently on the jobs market might be decisive.
