Forest Green's Rise Under Robbie Savage: Undefeated, Best xG in England - and Now EFL Interest

Forest Green's Rise Under Robbie Savage: Undefeated, Best xG in England - and Now EFL Interest

Forest Green Rovers have started the 2025/26 season in fine form. After being relegated from League Two back in the 2023/24 season, the club are now enduring their second season in the National League. Thus far, things have gone smoothly for the Green Army who are unbeaten in the league.

Robbie Savage was appointed in July this year following the departure of Steve Cotterill. With Savage at the helm, the Rovers sit top of the National League with 20 points. Undefeated, the side have won 6 and drawn 2, and boast one of the best xG returns across the entirety of English football. Savage has sparked life into the nearly promoted side. His efforts have not gone unnoticed either, as his name is now a hot topic on many EFL Club's lists as a potential coach.

Robbie Savage is emerging on the radar of a host of EFL clubs all the way up to the Championship following his impressive start to life at Forest Green. Forest Green have the best XG in the top five leagues in the country and are top of the National League. pic.twitter.com/OsbzrmoEKo

— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) September 9, 2025

Robbie Savage - From Player to Manager, a Quick Recap

A product of the Manchester United youth academy, the Wrexham born defensive midfielder never made an appearance for the Red Devils. After being released in 1994, Savage was signed by Crewe Alexandra. The former Wales international went on to enjoy a fruitful career in English football, having spells at Leicester City, Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County. The highlight of Robbie Savage's career came in 2000, helping Leicester City lift the League Cup.

Notoriously known for being a brute in the midfield position, the term "Savage by name, Savage by nature" could be used to describe his style of play as he recorded 89 yellow cards across his career. Subsequently, he put down the battering ram and retired in 2011 whilst at Derby County.

After 8 years away from professional football, Savage put down the punditry microphone and made his footballing return with Stockport Town in 2020. The Welshman found his way into the squad owing to his relations with the club's owner, and he came off the bench in a 3-2 win over Oswestry Town in the North West Counties Football League First Division South.

After retiring for good this time, Robbie Savage continued to enjoy a good few years as a pundit and commentator for the BBC and various other broadcasters. In October 2020, Savage was appointed as a member of the board and Sporting Director of Macclesfield FC, the recently-established phoenix club of the dissolved Macclesfield Town. His role lasted until June 2024, where he then became the manager of Macclesfield for the duration of the 2024/25 season. At the end of the season, Savage sought a new challenge and became manager of Forest Green Rovers.

Forest Green's Form - Savage's Impact

The 2024/25 season saw Forest Green finish third and lose in the play-off semi-final to Southend United. This season however, after bringing in 14 new faces, the Green Army are looking to do one better.

After 8 league games, Forest Green have soared to the top of the table. The side boast one of the best goal scoring records in the league, scoring 15 goals, they have only conceded 4 times and are unbeaten. Their most notable win of the season thus far came against Sutton United where they won 4-0.

Robbie Savage's style of play has been one of beautiful simplicity in the National League. The Rovers line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has come back into fashion over recent years in English football. Currently, the side average 1.88 goals per game and only concede an average of 0.5 per game. Savage has drilled defensive stability into the side by having two holding midfielders provide a barrier for the defence, and this also allows the midfielders and striker in front of them to express themselves freely in the attacking third.

Thank you so much @FGRFC_Official @DaleVince for the support 💚🙏🏻 we keep pushing 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/MneZzAXfYH

— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) September 7, 2025

The early signs are promising for Forest Green Rovers this season, and Savage is a huge reason for their success. The club will be desperate to keep him, but they may struggle to do so, as Savage is attracting an array of interest from EFL Clubs.

EFL Club's Interest

According to reports, clubs up to the level of the Championship are interested in Robbie Savage and are closely watching the progress of Forest Green Rovers this season. It may be too early to say whether he will leave the club prematurely, and Forest Green's form may be temporary - only time will tell.

However, one thing is clear, Robbie Savage is a huge character to have in the dressing room, and if his current form is a true reflection of his managerial capabilities, then EFL Clubs are in for a treat.

Enjoy, Rovers fans 🙌#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/poyqUJBjtS

— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) September 6, 2025