Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has hinted that Paul Mullin’s career at the club is not over following his season-long loan move to Wigan Athletic.
The 30-year-old has earned legendary status at the STōK Cae Ras since joining from Cambridge United in 2021. His 105 goals in 165 appearances have helped the club rise from the National League to the Championship with three successive promotions.
Despite that, he fell out of favour towards the end of last season, with his last appearance coming at the end of January. As a result, he had to watch from the sidelines as the Red Dragons achieved a second-placed finish in League One.
This led to speculation that his time in North Wales was coming to an end, which was confirmed earlier this week when he made the temporary move to the Latics.
Parkinson Sheds Light On Mullin Exit
Mullin issued an emotional goodbye upon his exit, issuing his departure ‘disappointing’. Manager Parkinson has now shed light on the situation, telling Leader Live:
“Mulls has had a couple of seasons where he has had a disrupted pre-season,” said the Reds’ boss.
“I sat down with him at the end of last season and said it is up to him if he feels he wants to go and play somewhere else, and get himself back going again, we completely respect that.
“After the disruption he’s had with missing the last pre-season and the pre-season before with his injury, the most important thing for him is to have a good off-season and a good pre-season.
“He had a chat with (Wigan boss) Ryan Lowe and he decided he wanted to go somewhere where he knew he was going to play after a year of not playing as much as he wanted, but there were reasons for that.
“When you step-up divisions quickly and he had that disrupted build-up to last season, it was always going to hinder him a little bit.
“He has had a good off-season and now he can have a good pre-season with Wigan.
“They have got a great signing and Mulls can get himself going again so it is a good move for him.”
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With two years on his contract, the former Bolton Wanderers boss hinted Mullin’s time at the club may not yet be over:
“Mulls has been brilliant for us.
“He is a great lad and he has made an outstanding contribution for us but he just needs to get going again after the disrupted season he had last year.
“He has got two years left on his contract with us and we will be watching him closely while he is at Wigan this season.”
Writer’s View
Parkinson may have hinted there is still a way back for Mullin, but it’s difficult to see how. Despite his legendary status, the calibre of player they are now looking at is of a higher quality than the striker and he won’t want to be playing a bit-part role should he return for the 2026/27 campaign. Wigan offers him a fantastic opportunity to prove he can cut it in League One and it’s likely a permanent exit is agreed next summer.
