Robbie Savage is attracting interest from clubs higher up the EFL ladder after guiding Forest Green Rovers to the top of the National League.
The former Leicester City player and Wales international has overseen an unbeaten eight-game start, prompting fresh speculation that Championship sides are monitoring his progress.
Championship Radar After Perfect Launch
Reports this week suggested Savage is “emerging on the radar” of multiple EFL clubs, including in the Championship, on the back of Forest Green’s early momentum. The Nailsworth outfit have opened the season with six wins and two draws, sitting first after a run that has blended resilience with flexibility in shape. One claim on social media even highlighted that Forest Green’s underlying numbers are among the best in the country this term, adding fuel to the chatter around Savage’s rising stock.
On the pitch, Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hartlepool United extended the home winning streak to four and showcased the adaptability that has defined the new regime. Savage shifted from his usual 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1 after the break, later closing the game in a 5-3-2 once fresh legs arrived from the bench. The tweaks helped preserve a narrow lead secured by Kairo Mitchell’s close-range finish, with goalkeeper Luke McNicholas making a crucial late save to secure the points.
Clear Identity, Clear Demands
Beyond the shape shifting, there is a consistent clarity to Forest Green’s approach: assertive without the ball, quick into the final third and decisive at set plays. New arrival Adriel Walker made his debut from the bench at the weekend and briefly thought he had opened his account before play was stopped for an injury. Rotation has been handled with a hard edge, with Savage stressing that selection is strictly merit-based as the schedule tightens.
The head coach also underlined the importance of decisive moments at the back, praising McNicholas’ late intervention which protected another clean sheet at the New Lawn. The balance between structural changes and individual performances has been a hallmark of the opening phase, and it is a blend that appeals to recruiters looking for coaches who can both organise and problem-solve in-game.
Writer’s View
Speculation is inevitable when a club begins fast under a new manager, but the noise around Savage reflects more than results. Forest Green have a defined style, the flexibility to adjust mid-match and a manager unafraid to make difficult calls. That combination will interest suitors higher up the pyramid.
For Rovers, the task is to maintain top-spot standards while shutting out the external chatter. If the points keep arriving at the current rate, enquiries are only likely to increase before January.
