Dean Keates has taken charge at Vanarama National League Wrexham FC for a second time and has committed to the Dragons until the summer of 2021.
The appointment, announced following Wrexham’s 1-1 draw at Woking, was unanimously ratified by the Wrexham Supporters Trust board
Keates spent two previous spells with the club as a player and manager.
Former manager and player Dixie McNeil, who is now club president, headed up the recruitment process and says: “We talked to a number of people about the position, which we narrowed down and interviewed five people.
“Dean gave a good interview and we decided he was by far the best person for the job.
“I wish Dean all the best of luck for the rest of this season.
“It’s really nice that he wanted to come back to the club and I hope that the Wrexham supporters will get behind Dean.
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“Together we can turn this season around and I believe Dean can push us up the league table. We are behind the play-off places at the moment, but there are still over 90 points to play for.”
Keates becomes manager as Wrexham go into three successive home fixtures – against Harrogate on Tuesday, St Mirren under-20s in the Scottish League Challenge Cup next Saturday and Chesterfield on Tuesday, October 15.
Former Dragons captain Keates made more than 160 appearances for Wrexham, making his debut during a 1-0 win over Cambridge United in August 2010 and going on to win the FA Trophy at Wembley in 2013.
He was in the team who gathered a record 98 points and reached the National League play-offs three times.
Keates retired from playing four years ago and became Wrexham manager the following year.
He took over a struggling Wrexham team in 16th place, having won only six out of 16 league games. He restructured the squad and guided the club to safety during his first season in charge.
His second season in charge saw him depart during March 2018 to manage boyhood club Walsall.
Caretaker manager Brian Flynn was in charge for the 1-1 draw at Woking. Flynn was in position for three matches and Wrexham. Earned one win, A draw and suffered a defeat.
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James Jennings fired Wrexham after 48 minutes and Woking equalised through Kane Ferdinand with 14 minutes left.
Substitute Mark Harris, who its on loan from Cardiff City, hit a post with his header, but the teams had to settle for a draw.
Skipper Shaun Pearson was suspended and Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was left out with Michael Chambers and Adam Barton joining Jake Lawlor in a back three.
Captain for the day Mark Carrington switched to right back. While striker JJ Hooper sat out the trip south, still getting over his recent injury.
Woking: Ross, Casey, Cook, Diarra, Parry, Edser (Hodges 64), Ferdinand, Donnellan, Hyde (Meite 64), Tarpey (Kretzschmar 86), Loza. Subs not used: Howes, Colliers.
Wrexham: Dibble, Carrington (Harris 64), Barton, Lawlor, Chalmers, Jennings, Summerfield, Young, Rutherford, Grant, Oswell. Subs not used: Szczepaniak, Wright, Redmond, Tollitt.
Referee: Garreth Rhodes (North Yorkshire)
Attendance: 2,061 (away 159)
