Former Wales, Birmingham City, and Derby County midfielder in talks over EFL League One manager’s job
Robbie Savage could be about to climb the managerial ladder, landing his first EFL manager's job. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage is in talks over a move to a League One club and will not be in charge of Forest Green Rovers for their next game.
The 51-year-old Welshman has been linked with the vacant manager’s job at Peterborough United, with growing speculation surrounding his future at Forest Green.
The National League club have now confirmed Savage is in discussions with another club and will not take charge when Forest Green face Wealdstone tomorrow.
It is a significant development for the former Wales international, who has been at the helm of Forest Green since July 2025.
Savage has already enjoyed success in management after leading Macclesfield FC to promotion, while his first season at Forest Green saw the club reach the National League play-offs.
And now the Welshman could be set for another step up the managerial ladder.
Robbie Savage was asked about Peterborough interest
Savage was asked directly about the Peterborough speculation on Saturday but did not deny that there had been contact from the League One club.
Instead, the former Wales midfielder insisted his immediate focus remained on Forest Green.
“I don’t know, I’ve got a game to prepare for, and I’m really excited to watch my team,” he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
However, talkSPORT presenter and Peterborough supporter Adrian Durham subsequently claimed there was substance behind the rumours.
“Robbie Savage has been heavily linked with the job. I can tell you talkSPORT understands there is a lot of truth to those rumours,” Durham said during an appearance on Weekend Sports Breakfast.
Forest Green have now confirmed that Savage will not be in the dugout for their meeting with Wealdstone, with the manager in talks over a move elsewhere.
The Welshman has already made his mark in management
Savage took charge of Forest Green on July 1, 2025, having previously managed Macclesfield.
He initially became caretaker boss at Macclesfield before being handed the job permanently for the 2024/25 campaign.
The former Wales international then guided the Silkmen to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title, securing promotion to the National League North.
At Forest Green, Savage followed that up by taking the club to seventh place in the National League during his first season.
That earned them a place in the play-offs, although their campaign ended in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat against Boreham Wood.
Forest Green are currently 14th in the National League after four wins from their opening nine matches.
They have scored 13 goals during those nine league games and conceded 14.
Savage remains a familiar face for Welsh football fans
For Welsh supporters, Savage is of course a familiar name.
He won 39 caps for Wales between 1995 and 2004 and enjoyed a long career in English football, representing Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.
Savage became one of the most recognisable Welsh footballers of his generation and later established himself as a prominent voice in football broadcasting.
There is now another Savage connection to the Wales team, with his son Charlie making his first competitive appearance for the senior side.
Charlie had previously featured for Wales in friendly matches, but Craig Bellamy entrusted him with a starting place against Denmark in Copenhagen in the UEFA Nations League.
It was a particularly special moment for Robbie, who watched his son take another step in his own international career.
Robbie Savage’s emotional message to son Charlie
Before the game kicked off in Copenhagen, Savage shared a simple but emotional message for his son.
“An emotional moment. Good luck, son,” he said.
Charlie went on to make his first competitive Wales appearance as Bellamy’s side were beaten 2-0 by Denmark.
The younger Savage now has the chance to continue building his own Wales career, while his father faces a potentially significant decision over his own future in football management.
With Forest Green confirming that Savage will not take charge against Wealdstone, the next chapter of the former Wales midfielder’s managerial career could be about to begin.
