Robbie Savage leaves Forest Green Rovers for move into the EFL with Peterborough United

Robbie Savage has left Forest Green Rovers to take charge of Peterborough United, bringing an end to his 15-month spell at The New Lawn.

The 51-year-old has completed his move into the EFL after receiving permission to speak to the League One outfit earlier this week.

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince confirmed the club had received an offer for Savage’s services in a statement released on Tuesday.

As reported by The NLP last weekend, Savage had emerged as a contender for the Peterborough job after the club sacked Luke Williams last month.

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‘Perfect fit’

He missed Forest Green’s midweek draw with Wealdstone as talks progressed and has now joined Posh on a long-term contract.

Vince said Savage had opted to leave for “personal reasons”, but the Welshman has now laid out what attracted him to Peterborough as he begins life at the Weston Homes Stadium.

“What attracted me to the club is the size of the club, the philosophy, working with young players and making them better, but the style of football was key,” he told the club.

“I based my football philosophy at previous clubs on the way that Peterborough play – I have studied the club for a number of years now.

“I love entertaining, attacking football, that is my belief – I would rather win games 5-4 than 1-0.

“It is the perfect fit and I am really excited about the opportunity.

He added: “I am really looking forward to getting out there on the training ground.

“I am a manager, so I will be there for every session, but I believe in trusting the coaches to deliver the messages and the sessions.

“I am not a manager who is going to want my teams to pass the ball around the back and chalk up 600 passes every game.

“We are going to go for it and attack and, if we are 1-1 at home with five minutes to go, I want my teams to go for the winner.”

‘It is going to be fun’

The former Leicester City and Derby County midfielder acknowledged there would be reservations about his appointment but insisted he is ready for the scrutiny that comes with the job.

“I understand there will be people out there with reservations,” Savage explained. “We all know the modern world has changed with social media – I understand it.

“I have been around for a long time.

“I will stand on that touchline and protect my players, it is a brilliant squad, I can’t wait to get going, it is going to be fun.”

Savage joined Forest Green from Macclesfield in 2025.

He guided the Green Army into the National League play-offs in his first season, only to suffer an extra-time semi-final defeat to Boreham Wood.

In his absence, assistant manager Jonathan Gould took charge against Wealdstone alongside Jan Klukowski and Josh Bowen, with Forest Green now beginning the process of finding Savage’s successor.

The club are yet to formally acknowledge his departure.

READ MORE: Robbie Savage offered Peterborough United job as Forest Green Rovers confirm exit talks