What can Peterborough fans expect from ‘relentless’ Savage?
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Robbie Savage’s appointment at Peterborough is the latest chapter of a remarkable managerial rise
- Published20 minutes ago
“All I can say to you Posh fans… you lucky people!”
Barry Fry’s association with Peterborough United spans more than 30 memorable years, and at Friday’s unveiling of Robbie Savage as Posh’s new boss, Fry predicted the club’s next chapter would be anything but dull.
For Savage, it is a first foray into management at an EFL side – so what should supporters expect from Luke Williams’ successor?
Who is Savage the manager?
There can be few managerial ascents quite like it.
A little over two years ago, 51-year-old Savage had been appointed at seventh-tier Northern Premier League Premier Division side Macclesfield FC – the phoenix club formed after Macclesfield Town was wound up in 2020.
His only season in charge was a roaring success with 109 goals, and 109 points sealing promotion to National League North.
But Savage would take the Silkmen no further.
The former Wales midfielder, who played for Leicester, Derby, Blackburn and Birmingham among others during his playing career, joined National League side Forest Green Rovers in July 2025.
In his only full season in charge, he guided the Gloucestershire side to the play-offs with the campaign ultimately ending at the hands of Boreham Wood.
As Savage departs, Forest Green sit 13th after 11 matches, with four wins, three draws and four defeats.
But for the man himself – just 836 days on from starting his management career with the Silkmen in the seventh tier – he is now a League One boss.
“Excitement is the word I can use to describe the appointment of Robbie Savage as our new manager,” Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony said.
“His personality, character and mindset is something we need top to bottom. Nobody will work harder to get us up and running again than Robbie.
“The board were blown away by him in an extensive interview and his hunger to fix our issues and get confidence back into our talented squad is what I am most excited by.”
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Peterborough appoint Forest Green boss Savage
- Published4 hours ago
What is his style of play, and what impact might he make?
BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Forest Green reporter Paul Furley said the most appropriate buzzword for Savage’s style of football was “relentless”.
That certainly tallies with how Savage wants his teams to play.
Speaking at his unveiling as Posh boss, he said he loves “entertaining, attacking football, that is my belief. I would rather win games 5-4 than 1-0.”
Reflecting on Savage’s 15 months at Forest Green, Furley said: “He [Savage] loves a 4-2-3-1 formation.
“In his only full season at the club, their goals scored up went up from 69 to 82 compared with the previous season. Goals conceded also went up from 42 to 52.
“On the touchline he is like a jack in the box, he likes to keep his team talks short.
“He likes to come out early before the match and gets the crowd going. He’s very big on his connection with the fans.
“He revolutionised the squad at Forest Green, and only two first team regulars pre-date him. He always pointed to reducing the club’s wage bill as one of the things he was tasked with and one of his major achievements.”
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Savage’s Forest Green side were beaten in the National League play-offs last season
With Peterborough second bottom of League One, and still the best part of three months away from the January transfer window, a similar approach may require patience from chairman MacAnthony and Peterborough fans alike.
“Lots was made of Robbie Savage signing a new player every time Forest Green lost a game,” Furley added.
“But plenty of those were either loan signings, or players from a lower level, given opportunities to become full-time professionals.
“That inevitably has a lower immediate strike-rate of success, but is good for the health of the game.
“It also show his love of football at all levels β from Macclesfield to Forest Green, to League One where his son Charlie plays and he now manages, to the Premier League where he played and watches as a pundit.”
Savage will continue his punditry work alongside the managerial role at Posh. He will carry on co-hosting BBC Radio 5 Live’s football phone-in 606, and will be on-air for Sunday’s edition from 18:30 BST.
What legacy has he left at his former clubs?
Forest Green fan Damian Ockham said Savage’s impact off the pitch would leave the most lasting impression.
“He was brilliant with fans,” he said. “Different to anything we’ve seen before. He was happy to meet people, speak to people. He was quite open and honest and would front up to a good or bad result.
“He had a difficult time with transition and players coming in and out. Some fans speculated he had a hard time trusting players as many were brought in from a lower level in the National League North and South.
“Despite lots of chopping and changing, we generally played good football under him. The energy of his side was really good. Football wise, it was good to a point.”
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,
The former Wales international has been praised by supporters of his previous clubs for taking time to connect with fans
Similarly, Maccesfield FC supporter Mark Sharpley praised Savage’s ability to make an impact with supporters.
“His legacy at Macc is absolute,” said Sharpley, who co-hosts the National League Lowdown podcast.
“Nobody can change what he did, with record breaking points and goals. He’s part of the club’s fabric. The way he left left a sour taste, but everything he did was there for all to see.
“Nobody could say he wasn’t good for the club, he got eyeballs on us from the moment we were reformed. He’s a big personality who would always stop to chat and shake your hand.”
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