The manager who knows how to upset Chelsea in the FA Cup

Phil Parkinson has lost just 13 of his 136 home games since becoming Wrexham manager in July 2021 FA Cup shocks are woven into Wrexham's history. What might concern Chelsea this fifth round weekend, is that manager Phil Parkinson has a back catalogue of upsets all of his own. Including being the most recent manager of a side from a lower division to knock out the big-spending west London side. Back in 2015, Chelsea were clear at the top of the Premier League on their way to the title in the second Jose Mourinho era. Drogba, Hazard, Fabregas and their talented team-mates should have had no problem against third-tier Bradford City, especially having gone 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge. "I can remember at the start of the second half looking at Mourinho," said 58-year-old Parkinson. "You could almost see it in his eyes, thinking 'wow' because his team had switched off and he couldn't get them going again." With three minutes to go - and Bradford now 3-2 up - Mourinho reached over to shake Parkinson's hand before the final whistle. Parkinson ignored it and watched as his side scored a fourth. They would be the only team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that season. How to follow the FA Cup fifth round on the BBC Sutton's FA Cup fifth-round predictions v Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight How Chelsea and Abramovich paved the way for Wrexham "I was actually thinking about the game this week, how we led into it, the build-up and preparations," said Parkinson, who also revealed he has been exchanging messages with one of the Bantams' goalscorers that day, Jon Stead. "I don't think I've changed much as a manager since then. We like the team to play with the same principles and reflect what the team is about as an area, which is similar here to Bradford. "There was no expectancy on us at all and the underdog fighting spirit has got to be there because of the talent of the team we're up against." Parkinson reached the quarter-finals of the 2014-2015 FA Cup with Bradford after beating Premier League leaders Chelsea 4-2 in the fourth round In the 11 years since, Chelsea have played 24 FA Cup opponents from below the Premier League without suffering the same embarrassment, one Mourinho labelled a disgrace, but also saw him go into the Bradford changing room to acknowledge the significance of the scoreline and pay tribute to Parkinson. He has recalled the "surreal" feeling of being applauded off by the Chelsea fans. FA Cup fifth round 6-9 March A memorable FA Cup experience, but it's far from the only reference point Parkinson has. While his time at Wrexham has seen him break promotion records as part of the north Wales club's Hollywood rise, with their position in the Championship play-offs suggesting a fourth is a possibility, he knows all too well what a cup run can mean. When Wrexham were still aiming to end a 15-year exile in non-league, Championship Coventry were beaten in 2023. Nottingham Forest were beaten on penalties in this year's third round. FA Cup: Bicycle kicks to set-pieces - the best of the fourth round But before being persuaded by the Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac project, Parkinson also took his fourth-tier Bradford side to the 2013 League Cup final via wins over Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa. "Like a lot of people I was brought up watching the FA Cup and you have a duty to really respect the club you're managing and their history," said Parkinson. "When you go around the Wrexham area, the game most supporters will still talk about is that Arsenal game with Mickey Thomas all those years ago, and the highlights will often be on the TV when the FA Cup comes back around again. "But I said to the players before the Forest game this is our chance now to make more memories. We did that and have earned the right for this, so can we make some more memories on Saturday evening?" Arthur Okonkwo was the hero as Wrexham beat Premier League Nottingham Forest on penalties in this year's third round 'I still think of him' - the Wrexham friendship FA Cup hero will never forget 'Fearless' Wrexham coming into their own before Chelsea tie Wrexham, of course, are not the bottom tier side they were when champions Arsenal were upset in 1992. There are only 20 places between the two sides as Wrexham push to join the Premier League, but they were still a non-league side three years ago. And Parkinson was in the stands to acknowledge the gap that needs to be bridged when he watched Liam Rosenior's side dismantle Aston Villa in midweek. He says there will have to be discipline out of possession – which could be great swathes of the game – and good organisation, but it is the belief that will matter most. "If not we might as well not turn up," he added. "But we will and we will have an understanding of what boxes we have to tick to make this as difficult as possible for Chelsea. "And I look at Saturday night as an opportunity for our players to write themselves into the history book. Like Mickey Thomas has done, and like those Bradford lads did on that day. " Russell takes Melbourne pole after Verstappen crash 'Slot needs something to keep him in a job' - could the FA Cup be it? 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