Robbie Savage Appointed Peterborough United Manager as New Era Begins

Peterborough United have confirmed the appointment of Robbie Savage as their new manager, bringing the former Wales international back into the English Football League and handing him the task of turning around the club’s difficult start to the season.

Savage leaves Forest Green Rovers to take charge at Peterborough, replacing Luke Williams, who was dismissed in September following a disappointing opening to the League One campaign.

The appointment represents another important step in Savage’s developing managerial career. The 51-year-old has moved from non-league management with Macclesfield to the National League with Forest Green and now into League One with Peterborough.

For a club that has built much of its identity around developing young players and playing attacking football, Savage believes the opportunity is a natural fit.

Peterborough confirm Savage appointment

Peterborough's decision ends several days of speculation surrounding Savage's future.

Forest Green confirmed last week that Savage had been given permission to speak to Peterborough after requesting to leave the club for personal reasons. At the time, Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said Savage had been offered the Peterborough position and that the clubs were negotiating the terms of the move.

Peterborough have now formally confirmed Savage as their new manager.

Club chairman Darragh MacAnthony described the appointment as an exciting development and said the board had been impressed by Savage during an extensive interview process. According to MacAnthony, Savage's determination to address the club's problems and rebuild confidence within the squad was an important factor in the decision.

Savage will now take charge of a Peterborough side looking to recover from a difficult beginning to the campaign.

Why Peterborough chose Robbie Savage

One of the clearest reasons behind the appointment is the similarity between Savage's football philosophy and Peterborough's traditional approach.

Savage has made it clear that he wants his teams to play entertaining and attacking football. He also highlighted Peterborough's reputation for developing young players as one of the things that attracted him to the job.

That could be significant because Peterborough have continued to place considerable importance on recruiting and developing young talent.

Rather than arriving with the intention of completely changing the club's identity, Savage has indicated that he wants to build around principles that are already familiar at London Road.

He has also spoken positively about the club's style, saying that he has followed Peterborough for several years and believes his footballing philosophy is compatible with the way the club wants to play.

Savage's managerial journey

Savage's move to Peterborough is the latest stage of a relatively short but interesting coaching career.

After retiring as a player, the former midfielder became well known as a television and radio football pundit. His playing career included spells with Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County, while he won 39 caps for Wales.

His first major managerial opportunity came with Macclesfield, where he guided the club to promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2025.

He subsequently took charge of Forest Green Rovers in July 2025. During his first season, Forest Green reached the National League play-offs but missed out on promotion after defeat in the play-off eliminators.

Savage's Forest Green side also continued to develop young players while competing towards the upper end of the National League.

Now, Peterborough represents a step up to League One and a different level of pressure.

A difficult situation awaits

Savage does not inherit a team in a comfortable position.

Peterborough dismissed Luke Williams on 19 September after a 2-0 defeat by Doncaster Rovers. At that point, the club had only one win from its first eight League One matches and was sitting 23rd in the table.

The immediate priority for Savage will therefore be restoring confidence and improving results.

That does not necessarily mean throwing away Peterborough's existing footballing philosophy. Instead, the new manager will have to find a way to make the attacking approach produce more consistent results while also making the team competitive defensively.

This is likely to be one of the biggest tests of Savage's managerial career.

Savage wants attacking football

Savage has already given supporters a clear indication of the type of football he wants to see.

He has spoken enthusiastically about attacking football and entertainment, explaining that he would rather see his team win a high-scoring match than a narrow 1-0 victory.

That approach could make Peterborough an interesting team to watch under their new manager.

However, attacking football also requires balance.

If Peterborough are going to climb the League One table, Savage will need to ensure that the team can create chances without becoming vulnerable when possession is lost.

The early weeks of his tenure could therefore reveal how he balances his preferred attacking style with the practical demands of League One football.

Developing young players will also be important

Another major attraction for Savage is Peterborough's emphasis on young players.

The club has traditionally looked to identify promising talent, give players opportunities and develop them before potentially selling them for significant fees.

Savage has specifically mentioned working with young players and helping them improve as one of the reasons he was attracted to the position.

His experience at Forest Green will be relevant here.

Managing a squad containing developing players requires patience, communication and the ability to handle mistakes while maintaining competitive standards.

At Peterborough, Savage will be expected to help young players grow while simultaneously delivering results.

The relationship with the supporters

Savage is also arriving with a significant public profile because of his long career in football and his work as a broadcaster.

That means his appointment has naturally attracted plenty of attention.

Savage acknowledged that some people would have reservations about his appointment, but said he understands the modern football environment and intends to stand on the touchline and support his players.

The most important factor for supporters, however, will ultimately be what happens on the pitch.

Results, performances and the development of the squad will shape how the appointment is judged over time.

What happens next?

Savage's immediate task is to get to know his squad and establish his methods.

Peterborough's next listed fixture is against Ipswich Town Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on 6 October. Their next League One fixture shown by Sky Sports is against Burton Albion on 17 October, while the club is also scheduled to face Huddersfield Town later in the month.

The early fixtures should give Savage an opportunity to introduce his ideas before the League One campaign becomes even more demanding.

There is also a potentially interesting meeting with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on 10 October, which could have particular significance given Savage's playing career with Leicester.

The bigger picture

Robbie Savage's appointment gives Peterborough United a manager with a clear footballing identity and an emerging managerial career.

The challenge is now to translate those ideas into consistent League One results.

Peterborough need improved performances, greater confidence and a team capable of competing while continuing to develop young players. Savage has made it clear that attacking football and player development are central to his philosophy.

Whether that philosophy produces the improvement Peterborough are looking for will become clearer as the season progresses.

For now, the appointment marks a new chapter for both Savage and Peterborough United — and one that will attract plenty of attention across League One.