Dean Keates Admits Shock Over New Wrexham Deal

Dean Keates had admitted he was surprised to be offered an early contract extension by Wrexham.

The manager has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with the National League club after guiding them to 10th in the table.

Keates, 38, took over from previous boss Gary Mills last October but still had a year to run on his current deal.

But following a six-match unbeaten run, the club’s former captain has been rewarded with a new agreement that runs through to the end of the 2019-20 season.

“It surprised me when they first mentioned it to me,” Keates told the Wrexham Leader. “I had next season left but sitting down with the board, they want to go forward.

“We have had some decent results on the pitch, the fans are buying into everything and all being well we can rebuild the football club and we can go forward.

“Obviously I am delighted to sign it and be here for the next three and-a-half years. “I have got three years now to get back what this football club wants and all being well that can be league football.

“And not just be in League Two, I want to go forward and I want the football club to go forward.

“All being well I can spearhead it but there are a lot more people working for the football club than just myself.

“We are all singing from the same hymn sheet, we are one football club and we all want to go forward. I am more than happy to have signed a contract for the next three-and-a-half years but it is not just about me.

Since losing to Newport County at Wembley in the 2013 play-off final, Wrexham have struggled to make any impact as a promotion-challenging force to return to the Football League.

Despite their recent surge, the club are unlikely to make it into the play-offs this season, but Keates is looking to the future.

“I can’t guarantee anything this season or next season. The only thing I can guarantee is that I will do the best for the football club and me and my staff will give it absolutely everything to produce a team that is up there challenging.”

Wrexham director Spencer Harris said: “Extending Dean’s contract for three and a half years is brilliant news.”

“In a short period of time, Dean has stamped his authority on the team and along with his coaching staff have brought a modern day approach to coaching and player development,” said Harris.

“We believe that approach will be very successful for the club.

“Dean gets the football club and its fans and is working extremely hard on taking us in the right direction.

“His approach is very much to get everybody together as one team, fans, board, staff and players to give us the very best chance of success.”

 

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