Peterborough United fans have offered a cautious and frankly sceptical welcome to the prospect of Robbie Savage becoming their next manager, with several supporters questioning whether the former Wales international has the experience for the job.

Forest Green Rovers confirmed on Tuesday that Savage had been offered the Posh role, though Peterborough themselves have yet to make any announcement. Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said the club had granted Savage permission to speak to Peterborough, adding: "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."

That statement from the National League club rather got ahead of anything Peterborough have said publicly, which is one way of doing things.

A "celebrity" signing or a calculated risk?

Fan Stuart Killingray called it "an odd choice" at first glance, though he acknowledged Savage's playing background could carry some value. "He might know useful people that could help the club," Killingray said. "It will be a mixed bag, I think. Hope springs eternal." That last phrase, familiar to supporters of clubs in the lower half of League One, does rather sum up the mood around London Road at the moment.

Fellow supporter Henry Currie was blunter. He described the potential appointment as "a bit of an optimistic gamble" and pointed out a significant concern: the step from the National League to the third tier is not a small one. "Going from National League to League One is a very big step up," Currie said. He added that Peterborough's squad contains a number of players recruited from non-league football themselves, and questioned whether the club needed stability and experience rather than a high-profile name.

Currie said he would have preferred the return of a more seasoned manager, citing former Posh boss Steve Evans as an example, or someone who had recently left a Championship club.

The case for Savage

Not everyone is dismissive. Supporter Mark Clifton said the club needed a change and felt Savage would deliver exactly that. "Peterborough United need a change, and he's definitely going to bring a change to them," Clifton said, though he did flag a potential flashpoint: the relationship between any new manager and chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who is not a man known for staying quietly in the background. "If they can iron that out, I think it could work potentially," Clifton added.

Savage is 51 and was capped 39 times by Wales. He started out in Manchester United's youth system before going on to play as a midfielder for Leicester City, Birmingham City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, among others. He was appointed at Forest Green in July 2025, having previously managed non-league Macclesfield. At Forest Green last season he guided the club to seventh in the National League table, though they were knocked out in the play-off eliminators.

Away from the dugout, Savage has a considerable media profile, having joined BBC Radio 5 Live's 606 phone-in in 2010 and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Whether that helps or hinders him in the dressing room at London Road is a reasonable question.

The context: a club in trouble

Peterborough sacked Luke Williams on 19 September following a poor start to the League One campaign. At the time of writing, Posh sit second from bottom in the table with a single win from their first eight league matches. That is a position that concentrates the mind wonderfully, and perhaps explains why the club is looking beyond the obvious pool of candidates.

Whatever supporters think of Savage's CV, the numbers are unambiguous: Peterborough need points quickly. The margin for sentiment in their current league position is close to zero.

Frequently asked

Has Robbie Savage been confirmed as Peterborough manager?
Not yet. Forest Green Rovers confirmed that Savage was offered the job, but Peterborough United have not made any official announcement as of the time of writing. Negotiations over terms are reportedly ongoing.
Why did Peterborough sack Luke Williams?
Luke Williams was dismissed on 19 September after Peterborough made a poor start to the League One season, winning just one of their first eight league games.
Where are Peterborough in the League One table?
Peterborough are currently second from bottom in League One, having picked up only one win from eight matches at the start of the season.