Robbie Savage has been appointed as the new manager of Forest Green Rovers, stepping into a role he describes as “special” and full of promise. Speaking at his unveiling at the New Lawn, Savage highlighted the club’s ambition, its impressive facilities, and the quality of the people involved as key reasons for his decision.
“I joined Forest Green because of the ambition, the project, the training ground, the new stadium on the horizon, but more importantly, the good people here,” he said.
Savage arrives from Macclesfield, where he spent four transformative years guiding the club to three promotions before narrowly securing their own recent success. Despite recently signing a two-year contract with Macclesfield, Savage was drawn to Forest Green’s unique project.
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Acknowledging the reaction from some Macclesfield fans, he said, “I’ve seen the comments of some of the Macclesfield fans, and again, we know what football fans are like, they’ll be hurt, they’ll be angry but I’m a man of my word, I said I wouldn’t leave unless it was something special, and this is special.”
A former Manchester United academy player, Savage places a strong emphasis on youth development. He intends to integrate young players closely with the first team, giving them the experience and environment necessary to flourish.
“This football club needs to give opportunities to young players," Savage explained. “The club has used the loan market well but I want to get the youth team involved with the first team sessions. I want them eating with the first team players, I want them to go on the bus to away games, sit in the changing rooms to see how the older players conduct themselves.”
Savage has committed to a four-year deal, aiming to help Forest Green return to League Two after their relegation to the National League in 2024.
“Dale has backed me massively, it was already a squad that finished third last year, but we want to create dynamism, we want entertainment, we want fun and basically we want people to come to Forest Green to wear that badge with pride and play for me,” he stated.
His vision for the team includes a high-pressing, attacking style that brings excitement to supporters.
“I want to play a high line, I want to have a team that can press to make the pitch wide and a team that can score goals, but you need good players to do that.”
The move was influenced in part by his relationship with Forest Green’s new director of football, Mark Bowen, who had notable success building Reading’s squad.
Savage is keen to transform both the dressing room culture and the club’s style on the pitch.
“I want to change the perception, create a young, hungry, dynamic squad with pace and power. I want the fans, the media, everybody who comes to watch, to be proud of us and enjoy watching us, but we’ve got to win games of football.”
Having led his first training session with the team on Tuesday, Savage is preparing for their first pre-season match on Friday against Slimbridge, where he plans to rotate players and give opportunities to promising youngsters.
He expects significant squad changes ahead of the new season starting in August, with several new recruits on the horizon despite some injury concerns.
“There are a couple of injury concerns already, people who might be out for a while, but with our recruitment team, three players hopefully will pass their medicals on Wednesday morning," he revealed. “We’re so excited about them, and then there’s another six or seven we’re looking at bringing in.”
Savage concludes, “I’m enthusiastic, I’m a decent person, and the narrative for me is that I’ll surprise people because I want to do the best for the football club I’m at.”
Club owner Dale Vince praised the decision, emphasizing character and long-term vision.
“It’s about Robbie’s personality, it’s about his achievements, his energy, his positivity,” Vince said. “We couldn’t be happier, and it’s a smart move for all of us because we’re going to make a great team.”
Vince also supports a pressure-free environment for Savage, focusing on steady progress rather than instant promotion.
“We’ve not said that we’ve got to go up this year… It must take the pressure off,” he added.
Forest Green Rovers have seen considerable managerial turnover, with Savage becoming their ninth manager in five years. Vince acknowledges the need for consistency to stabilize the club.
The owner also made a bold proposal regarding league structure, suggesting that the English Football League should integrate the National League as a new League Three, enhancing competition and organization.