Forest Green Rovers have granted manager Robbie Savage clearance to hold talks with another club as speculation swirls around a potential move to League One side Peterborough United. The National League outfit confirmed that Savage will miss Tuesday evening's home fixture against Wealdstone due to the emerging opportunity. When pressed about contact from Peterborough on Saturday, Savage remained coy, telling BBC Radio Gloucestershire that he was unsure whether the club had actually made an approach while insisting his immediate focus remained on preparing for the upcoming match.
Savage's appointment at Forest Green came on 1 July 2025, marking his first venture into management within the top five tiers of English football. The 51-year-old former Wales international boasts an impressive playing career, having donned the shirt for Derby County, Birmingham City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers during his years as a midfielder. Prior to taking the Forest Green role, he managed non-league outfit Macclesfield Town, building experience outside the professional pyramid.
Last season, Savage guided Forest Green to a seventh-place finish, though their playoff ambitions were ended in the eliminators round. This campaign has proven more challenging, with the National League side occupying 12th position following 10 matches played, accumulating four victories, two draws and four defeats. Peterborough, meanwhile, are actively hunting managerial talent following their decision to dismiss Luke Williams on 19 September. The League One club's search comes amid a difficult start to the season, with just one win recorded in their opening eight league matches, leaving them languishing in 23rd place.
The situation represents a significant crossroads for Savage, who would face the challenge of reviving Peterborough's struggling campaign should the talks materialise into a formal appointment. Forest Green's decision to grant him permission suggests the club recognise the legitimacy of the approach and may be prepared to part ways with their manager should terms be agreed.