Tom Brady, Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney’s soccer involvement assessed by Harry Redknapp as he says what he really thinks about American owners at Birmingham & Wrexham

Wrexham and Birmingham are two of the sides to have embraced investment from those that have made their money elsewhere, with Hollywood superstars and NFL legends now in their boardrooms. The likes of Leeds and Burnley are now tied to Will Ferrell and JJ Watt respectively, while several clubs in the United States have stars from sport and screen on their ownership teams.

Vastly experienced former Tottenham, West Ham and Birmingham boss Redknapp has – speaking in association with the free to play fantasy game at Sorare that will see him compete with supporters for bragging rights at Euro 2024 this summer – told GOAL when asked if celebrity investors can become a distraction: “I don’t think so. Birmingham as a team, they have hovering around that [relegation into League One] for years. It may be the best thing to happen to them – go down, have a rebuild, get a new manager in. I’m sure they will invest in the summer and they will come back strong. They will improve, do some work at the ground as well, improve around the place. They have got lots of money. It’s been proved over the years that the teams with the money – the Man Citys of this world – they have the deepest pockets and then you’ve got a chance.”

Redknapp added on the benefits of having someone like Brady around, with the seven-time Super Bowl winner knowing what it takes to perform under pressure: “I wouldn’t think he’s that involved. He’s put his money in and it’s nice to see him turn up watching the games and taking an interest. Is it good? Yeah, I think it’s good for the players to have someone they look up to. We have all watched Tom Brady over the years, an incredible sportsman, one of the world greats, to do what he did with so many Super Bowls. In America, he’s a superstar. A lot of the players will watch American football and know all about Tom Brady. I think to have him around the place is good. I don’t think it’s a distraction – it’s what they do on the pitch. With the players they had this year, they weren’t quite good enough. They will improve in the summer and come back stronger.”

Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have dominated the famous owner scene at Wrexham, with Redknapp saying of why that pair have been so successful why drawing up the blueprint for others to follow: “They bought good players, a good manager. They gave themselves a real chance. The lad [Paul] Mullin, they got him playing in non-league, dropped down from playing in the League to go and play in the National League because they could pay that sort of money. They have done great. It’s a good set-up. It’s great to see what they are doing for Wrexham – the people having such a great time with their football club, it has brought great publicity to the area. The manager is good, Phil Parkinson has done well wherever he has been. They are in a great place and could go through again next year and get another promotion. I think Birmingham will come back stronger as well.”

Wrexham’s stock is soaring courtesy of results on the field and the documentary series that now covers their every move, with Redknapp saying when asked how he would have reacted in his coaching days to seeing camera crews in the dressing room: “They wanted to do one at Portsmouth when I first went there. The guy came in and the lads didn’t like it, I didn’t feel comfortable and we bombed it out pretty quickly. But it’s a changing world now. You have got to do your stuff and people want to see what is going on. Arsenal have done one. You have got to do it if that is what the club want you to do. I have watched them all and loved them. I found them interesting. The best one I saw was the Last Dance, the basketball one with Michael Jordan – that was fantastic. I think there is more room for these inside stories at football clubs. People love to watch them. I would’ve had to change wouldn’t I! A few years ago I wouldn’t have done it, but now you have to get on with it.”

Welcome to Wrexham, which has just covered the club’s rise out of League Two, will be back for a fourth season. Several other players and clubs are exploring their options with leading produces and streaming services, with potential stars of future documentaries currently on show in Germany at Euro 2024 and across the United States in Copa America competition.