Mark Hughes among the contenders for Wrexham's Hollywood owners

Wrexham's superstar owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are searching for their new manager.

The A-list pair, who took over in February, showed their ruthless streak by axing manager Dean Keates over the weekend.

That came after the regular National League season ended and the Welsh club missed out on the play-offs.

Now, attentions turn to who could succeed Keates - and there's some big names being linked. Former Wales and Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is the standout name in the early bookies' list of contenders.

Hughes, whose last managerial post was at Southampton in December 2018, is a Wrexham fan but it's unclear whether he'd be prepared to drop into non-league having only bossed previously in the top flight.

Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas said earlier this week: "Let's be brutally honest, finishing eighth was a massive, massive failure.

"We all know that Wrexham will never have any problems attracting the fans and you can imagine the first game of the new season being a sell-out.

"The squad needs major surgery and Ryan and Rob are going to have to pay big money - just like Fleetwood and Forest Green have done in the past - to get out of this league. We're the longest serving club in the National League - and that's embarrassing."

The current favourite, with bookmakers Skybet, is Newport County manager Michael Flynn.

His Newport side fell short in the League Two play-off final and he may well fancy a fresh challenge, albeit a division lower.

Just behind him in the odds market is Mansfield boss Nigel Clough whilst former Manchester United women's boss Casey Stoney is also high on the list.

However, Stoney - who would be the first-ever woman to be appointed manager of a men's senior team - has been quick to play down the links after receiving abuse on social media. She said those individuals should be "ashamed".

Others on the list include John Askey, Graham Alexander and another former Wales boss, Chris Coleman.

Wrexham were formerly owned by their supporters trust before 98.2 per cent of members voted in favour of Reynolds and McElhenney completing their sensational £2million takeover.

In a mission statement, the A-list actors vowed to make Wrexham a "global force".

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip