Ex-Rovers midfielder Savage lands National League managerial role
Former Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage has been named the new manager at National League club Forest Green.
Savage guided Macclesfield to promotion to the National League North last season, clinching the Northern Premier League title on 109 points.
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Forest Green finished third in the top tier of the non-league pyramid last term but lost against Southend United on penalties in the play-off semi-final.
Steve Cotterill was sacked last week following18 months in charge and Savage is the new man in the dugout at the New Lawn.
'We had an unbelievable season at Macclesfield – 109 goals, 109 points, breaking every single record in the Northern Premier,' he told the club channels.
'The players were incredible, my staff were incredible and the fans had an unbelievable season – a team they could enjoy watching, entertaining, dynamic, wanted to play on the front foot and score goals.
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'Forest Green last season did well last season, they finished third under Steve Cotterill, a very experienced manager with 1,000 games.
'But coming in now, I feel like I have got an opportunity to develop a squad and create an attacking brand of football, an aggressive brand, try to score goals and get Forest Green back into the EFL.'
Savage spent three seasons at Ewood Park during his playing career, racking up 100 appearances and scoring three goals.
He also had spells at Crewe, Leicester, Birmingham, Derby and Brighton before hanging up his boots, as well as winning 39 caps for Wales on the international stage.
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Savage did plenty of work in the media before taking on his first managerial job at Macclesfield last summer.
'It came about quite quickly. I think it all comes about from my relationship with Dale and Mark. When my son Charlie was here, he was treated ever so well by the fans," he added.
'I will have to win the fans over, there will be a bit of scepticism because I have only had one year in management.
'But I believe I have got all the right tools, and my staff, to try and get Forest Green back into the EFL.'
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