In a classic case of master meeting apprentice, former club and country colleagues Mark Hughes and Robbie Savage will face each other as managerial equals for the second time on Valentine’s night.
The pair go head-to-head in a play-off chasing clash in the National League, as Savage’s Forest Green Rovers welcome Hughes’ Carlisle United to the New Lawn on Saturday evening. The Cumbrians will be hoping to complete the double after their 4-2 victory over Forest Green at Brunton Park in October.
Hughes signed Savage for Blackburn for £3m in 2005, and the Forest Green boss is relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with his former Wales manager. Hughes boasts more than 450 top-flight appearances with Blackburn, Stoke City, Southampton, Fulham, and Queens Park Rangers, as well as an 18-month spell at Manchester City.
Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged pre-Carlisle press conference
On their battle from the touchline, Savage said: “We’re both passionate, both emotional. He’s achieved far more in his footballing career than me. He’s achieved more than most people, both as a player and as a manager.
“You know, he’s an outstanding player, one of the best. And as a manager, to manage the amount of games he has at the highest level, and the respect I have for him in terms of managing lower as well -because Mark Hughes is managing in the National League -who would have ever thought that with his playing career and managerial career?
“So I take my hat off to him, because some players and managers of his stature would think, ‘No, I’m not going to go to the National League.’ But that’s why I admire him so much, because he’s done that. And again, that’s why I’m going to enjoy going up against him and his team once again.”
Savage insists that despite their current third-place, Carlisle have under-achieved: “They’re a good side. They’ve got a great travelling support. But they’re in the National League, and I thought that with the capabilities they have, they would be a Rochdale or a York this year. It just goes to show how tough this league is and how hard it is to get out of.”
