Would Robbie Savage Really Leave His Own Club for Forest Green Rovers?

Forest Green Rovers announced earlier this week that Steve Cotterill would depart the club, ending his 19-month tenure in Gloucestershire. His replacement? Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage, who started his managing career at the age of 49, a year ago in the seventh tier of English football. However, Savage’s potential managerial switch to the National League is a lot more bizarre than what meets the eye.

🚨 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜! Robbie Savage will sign a four-year deal to become Forest Green Rovers' new manager.

The TV pundit led Macclesfield FC to the National League North last season as champions of the Northern Premier League but will now move to the National League side after… pic.twitter.com/IIMns4K95y

— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) June 29, 2025

Fresh Ventures in the Non League

The story begins five years ago, when historic Cheshire club, Macclesfield Town, dissolved due to financial issues. At the time, Savage was involved with Stockport Town, a not-so-far fellow non-league club that was owned by business-owner, Robert Smethurst. Smethurst purchased the stadium and all available assets of Macclesfield Town, using them to found the phoenix club Macclesfield FC. As part of the club's ownership group, Macc Football Club Ltd, Savage was appointed as a member of Macclesfield’s board, and later would become their sporting director.

BREAKING: Macclesfield Town have been expelled from the National League, due to being subject of a winding up order.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 29, 2020

Life at the Helm of Macclesfield

That all changed ahead of the 2024/25 season, when Savage was appointed as head coach, his first full-time role in the managerial world. He would lead the Silkmen to the Northern Premier League title, and Macclesfield’s third promotion in their four-year history.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 🤩

Macclesfield FC, 2024/25 Northern Premier League 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vAo9CuVbI8

— Macclesfield FC (C) (@thesilkmen) March 22, 2025

Savage’s coaching performances have not gained attention simply because of his name. Under his reign, Macclesfield picked up 109 points from 42 games, losing on only three occasions. This gives the manager an 83.3% win record in his debut coaching season, breaking multiple Northern Premier League records.

In his weekly column for the Daily Mirror, Savage revealed that leading Macclesfield to the Northern Premier League title was his “proudest moment of all”. Rewarding the 3,150 fans on average that turned up at the historic Moss Rose ground with some thoroughly deserved memories.

Savage’s Strange Situation

Despite his heavy involvement at Macclesfield, to many at the club, it would be no surprise if Savage chose to move on. "How long he'll stay here at Macclesfield, God only knows," Smethurst told BBC Radio Manchester. "It'll only be a matter of time before he proves himself and will no longer be here at Macclesfield. I'm aware of that."

There is no doubt that Savage will always have a part to play at Moss Rose, no matter where he is working. However, the former Derby County captain faces a decision of whether to continue helping Macclesfield rebuild, or leave for a new challenge at Forest Green.

Savage is believed to be close friends with Forest Green director of football Mark Bowen, as former international teammates for Wales, and Rovers chairman, Dale Vince, is extremely eager to recruit the manager.

Bizarre reports were also rumoured earlier in the week that Macclesfield had approached Wayne Rooney, who lives nearby in Cheshire, to replace Savage, an offer which Rooney has apparently declined.

🚨National League North club Macclesfield are keen and ambitious to make former Plymouth, Derby and Birmingham manager Wayne Rooney as their new manager!
This comes after current manager Robbie Savage is set to leaves for Forest Green!#bcfc #pafc #dcfc pic.twitter.com/Upkgb38DZ4

— Argyle News Hub (@PAFCNewsHub) June 26, 2025

Despite starting his managerial career late, Savage has become an attractive coach lower down the pyramid. What started as an ambition with Macclesfield has turned into what looks to be an exciting career for the Welshman. Further proof that the coach’s decision has been made was confirmed by Macc Football Club Ltd filing a termination of appointment of Savage as director of football.

Companies House records confirm that Robbie Savage has officially stepped down as a director of Macclesfield FC.

This move comes amid strong rumours that he will also leave his role as manager, with reports linking him to the vacant manager’s job at Forest Green Rovers. pic.twitter.com/iVPSm1egSG

— NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL (@nonleagueforall) June 29, 2025

Forest Green Rovers are set to announce their new manager on Tuesday, 1st July, with hopes that the selected candidate can lead the club back to the EFL. And all the facts are pointing towards Savage as the man for the job at the New Lawn.