Robbie Savage Appointed Peterborough United Manager 2026

Key Points

• Robbie Savage has been named as the new first-team manager of Peterborough United after signing a contract.
• Born in Wrexham, the 51-year-old has moved to the club from National League side Forest Green Rovers.
• He takes over from Luke Williams, who was sacked on September 19.
• Peterborough are 23rd in League One, just above bottom-placed Stevenage after a poor start to the season.
• Savage insists that he will prove the critics wrong and that he has earnt his chance through his non-league football career.
• He has denied that there is any friendship between him and chairman Darragh MacAnthony that has influenced his appointment, insisting that they never met before the procedure.
• Savage has guaranteed aggressive and attacking football in Peterborough United and that he would rather win 5-4 than 1-0.
• Caretaker manager Ryan Harley will stay at the club as Savage’s assistant.
• Savage’s first game in charge will be a fixture against Ipswich Town Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on October 6.
• Peterborough will next play Leicester City away in League One on October 10.

Wrexham (Wales Times) October 3, 2026 – Peterborough United have confirmed Robbie Savage as their new first-team manager. The former Wales international has left Forest Green Rovers to take his first managerial role in the English Football League.

The club announced the appointment on Friday, October 2, confirming that Savage had signed a long-term contract at the Weston Homes Stadium after completing the paperwork at the Bespoke Builds Training Ground. As reported by the BBC, the 51-year-old replaces Luke Williams, who was sacked on September 19 after Peterborough began the League One campaign poorly and sat 23rd in the table.

Savage arrives at a club in a difficult position. Peterborough have scored only four league goals this season and have won two of their last 23 league matches stretching back to last season, according to the BBC. The side are second from bottom in League One and have lost key players, while summer signings have not yet made the expected impact.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony welcomed the appointment, saying: “Excitement is the word I can use to describe the appointment of Robbie Savage as our new manager – a word I personally haven’t used about our football club for too long.”

MacAnthony added that Savage’s “character, personality and mindset” were important at every level and said no one would work harder to get the club back on track. He also said the board had been impressed by Savage during an extensive interview process and by his determination to address the club’s problems and restore confidence in the squad.

Why Did Peterborough United Appoint Robbie Savage?

Peterborough turned to Savage after dismissing Luke Williams following a poor start to the League One season. The club had been searching for a successor after Williams’s dismissal, with Forest Green Rovers confirming on September 28 that Savage had been offered the Peterborough job and was in negotiations over terms.

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said at the time: “We have given Robbie Savage permission to speak to Peterborough. He wanted to leave the club for personal reasons, reasons which we understand and respect. He’s been offered the job and we’re now in a negotiation with Peterborough on the terms. We wish Robbie the very best.”

There was brief confusion over the process. As reported by the Stroud Times, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry initially insisted that Savage had “not yet” been offered the position, contradicting Vince’s statement that an offer had been made. The club subsequently confirmed the appointment on October 2.

Savage was first contacted by Peterborough on September 23 and was interviewed on September 28, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. He said the club’s size, philosophy, work with young players and style of football were key reasons for accepting the role.

What Has Robbie Savage Said About Proving Doubters Wrong?

Savage acknowledged that his appointment has raised eyebrows because he has not previously managed in the EFL. As reported by the Peterborough Telegraph, he said:

“We’re 23rd and I wouldn’t have got this job if we weren’t 23rd, I know that. There was some eyebrows raised but, I’ve played so many Premier League games, captained four Premier League sides and started my managerial career in the lower leagues, I’ve earned the right to get an opportunity.”

He said he had deliberately taken the harder route into management rather than moving directly from his playing career into the Championship or League One. Savage added:

“I wasn’t an ex-player that wanted to go straight into League One or the Championship. I wanted to do it the hard way and earn the right and I’ve done that.”

The new Peterborough manager also rejected suggestions that his relationship with MacAnthony helped secure the job. He told the Peterborough Telegraph: “I have never met him before. How it came about was I watched Darragh on the TV and listened on the radio when he was with Simon Jordan.”

Savage said he had contacted Simon Jordan while at Macclesfield to learn about the approaches used by Jordan and MacAnthony, later obtaining MacAnthony’s number through contacts at TalkSPORT. He said their conversations focused on creating a brand of football and understanding the ethos behind Peterborough.

“I don’t think I got this opportunity because I’m a friend of Darragh, its because of the way my sides have played,” Savage said.

What Style Of Football Will Robbie Savage Bring To Peterborough?

Savage has promised an attacking approach. In comments reported by the BBC, he said: “I am not the type of manager who will instruct my teams to pass the ball aimlessly at the back, accumulating 600 passes per match. We will be aggressive and focused on attacking.”

He added that if Peterborough were drawing at home with five minutes remaining, he would want his players to push for victory. At his unveiling, Savage said he would rather win games 5-4 than 1-0 and described Peterborough as “the perfect fit”.

The former midfielder said he was eager to begin work on the training field and would attend every session, while also trusting his coaching staff to deliver sessions and communicate his ideas.

Savage also recognised the scrutiny that comes with the role. He said: “I understand that. Having been around for a long time, I will stand on the sidelines to protect my players. This is a fantastic squad, and I am eager to get started; it’s going to be exciting.”

Who Will Support Robbie Savage At Peterborough United?

Ryan Harley, who had been serving as Peterborough’s caretaker manager, will assist Savage in his new role. Harley had taken temporary charge following Williams’s dismissal.

Savage’s arrival ends his 15-month spell at Forest Green Rovers, according to The Non-League Football Paper. He had taken charge at Forest Green in July 2025 after previously managing Macclesfield.

At Forest Green, Savage led the club to seventh place in the National League last season, although they were eliminated in the play-offs. Forest Green were 13th in the National League after 11 matches this season, with four wins, three draws and four defeats, before his departure.

When Will Robbie Savage Take Charge Of His First Peterborough Match?

Savage is due to take charge of Peterborough for the first time when the club host Ipswich Town Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on October 6. Peterborough then return to League One action with an away match against Leicester City, one of Savage’s former clubs, on October 10.

The new manager is also scheduled to attend a fans’ forum at the Weston Homes Stadium on Monday, according to the Peterborough Telegraph.

Savage will continue to co-host BBC Radio 5 Live’s football phone-in programme, 606, and is due to be on air for Sunday’s edition at 18:30 BST, the BBC reported.

Background Of Robbie Savage’s Appointment

Savage began his managerial career at Macclesfield, where he led the club to promotion to National League North in March 2025 after winning the league, according to reports carried by Yahoo Sport. He then joined Forest Green Rovers in July 2025.

His move to Peterborough represents his first EFL management role. The Peterborough Telegraph noted that he is entering his third season as a manager.

Peterborough’s recent managerial history adds context to the challenge facing Savage. The BBC reported that Luke Williams lasted nine months, Grant McCann had a similar tenure and Steve Evans managed for ten months, with Darren Ferguson the notable exception to recent short spells. The Peterborough Telegraph also reported that, excluding Darren Ferguson, the average tenure of managers appointed by MacAnthony over the past 20 years has been about nine months, or 32 league games.

Savage said Peterborough’s league position meant experienced managers had already been unable to improve results. He said: “The team has finished 18th, 18th and they are 23rd now with experienced managers.”

Prediction: What Could Robbie Savage’s Appointment Mean For Peterborough Fans?

For Peterborough supporters, Savage’s appointment is likely to bring an immediate change in expectations around style of play. His stated preference for aggressive, attacking football suggests fans may see a more front-foot approach than under the previous regime, particularly at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The immediate priority, however, remains results. Peterborough are 23rd in League One and have struggled for goals, so supporters will judge the appointment not only on entertainment but on whether Savage can quickly lift the team away from the relegation zone.

Savage’s lack of EFL managerial experience creates uncertainty, but his record at Macclesfield and Forest Green provides some evidence of his ability to build competitive sides outside the Football League. His first league fixture against Leicester City on October 10 is likely to offer an early indication of how quickly he can implement his methods.

For Forest Green supporters, the development means the club must now find a successor after Savage’s departure, while Peterborough fans will be watching closely to see whether the long-term contract brings stability or becomes another short chapter in a club known for frequent managerial changes.