Ebullient Forest Green boss Robbie Savage has paid tribute to his former managers insisting they played a key role in shaping both his career and his character.
Savage has played under a raft of top bosses during his illustrious playing career and revealed he has taken away tiny nuggets of knowledge to help his journey as a manager.
He opened up to Stroud Times’ editor Ash Loveridge during his pre-match press conference. He discussed his approach to man management, explaining how he reassures players when making difficult selection calls or introducing competition for places.
Gaffer tapes: Listen to Robbie Savage’s unabridged media interview ahead of Scunthorpe
He credited former managers Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and Nigel Clough with influencing his approach, recalling how Clough would often trust him with extra days off because of his professionalism.
“I’ve picked up so much from all the managers I’ve worked under — Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Nigel Clough — huge footballing names. I’ve taken little things from each of them. For instance, sometimes with the lads here I’ll just say, ‘See you on Friday’ — that’s what Nigel used to do with me. If we won and I’d played well at the weekend, because he knew how professional I was, he’d ask about the family and then give me three or four days off. He trusted me to do things right.
“It’s about treating players as individuals as well as part of the group. When we brought in Ads [Walker], I sat down with Kairo (Mitchell) and made sure he knew it wasn’t about replacing him. When I take a player off, I’ll call them after the game and reassure them. It’s about being honest and clear.”
Rovers welcome Scunthorpe United to The New Lawn this Saturday, and Savage is calling on fans to once again bring the energy that has inspired his team’s table-topping start.
“The fans have been magnificent. We want to keep building that connection. When it’s going well, enjoy it. When we face setbacks, we’ll stick together. Right now, everyone is loving it – the players, the staff, the owner, and the supporters. Long may that continue.”
Such is Savage’s connection with supporters that a number of fans have vowed to launch a new chant in honour of the Rovers’ boss. Set to the tune of the Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, the lyrics will instead proclaim: All You Need Is Rob.
Savage’s exuberant post-match celebrations have attracted widespread attention, with some rival fans and Chris Sutton, his co-host on BBC Radio show 606, light heartedly suggesting he has acted prematurely in celebrating wins so openly.
He was quick to defend his approach: “We’re in the business of entertainment, engagement and inclusivity. When we win, we celebrate – because we know how hard it is to win games at this level. It doesn’t mean we think we’ve won the league. It just means we’re enjoying the moment with our supporters. And yes, I’ll keep doing it.”
Reports have also linked Savage with interest from clubs in higher divisions. While he acknowledged the speculation as a compliment, he reiterated his commitment to Forest Green: “There will always be speculation about me. If we lose three games, people will say I’m about to lose my job. If we win, people will link me elsewhere. But my journey here has only just begun. There’s a project, an ambition, and I want to take this club higher.”
Rovers’ attacking approach has already delivered some eye-catching numbers, including the highest expected goals (XG) difference across all top five divisions, 84 corners won, at least 20 more than the next best team.
Savage has now charged goalkeeping coach Dan Watson with turning XG into goals and improving set-piece conversion. Watson previously oversaw one of the most effective set-piece units in the EFL while at Walsall, has been tasked with sharpening Rovers’ threat from dead-ball situations.
Turning his attention to Saturday’s opponents, Savage was full of praise for Andy Butler’s unbeaten Scunthorpe side. “They’re a very good team. I watched them in the National League North play-off final against Chester and they impressed me. Andy Butler has done a great job – he was nominated for Manager of the Month and I think he deserved to win it.”
New loan signing from Stoke City, Adriel Walker made a lively debut off the bench against Hartlepool, even finding the net before the referee’s whistle denied him a first goal. Savage praised his impact but admitted the loanee situation presents challenges.
“We’ve now got seven loan players, and only five can be named in a matchday squad. That’s a difficult decision for any manager when everyone’s fit, but it shows the depth we’re building.”
Savage has welcomed the benefit of a full week without a midweek fixture, giving his squad a chance to recover and refocus.
After a relentless schedule of two games per week, Savage handed his players consecutive days off before ramping up preparations with what he described as a “pre-season style” session.
“We can all have a breath,” said Savage. “The lads thoroughly deserved a break after the weekend. When they came back in on Tuesday, the session was so intense, it felt like pre-season again. That’s the way we train, and that’s the way we want to play. It’s all about intensity.”
