Robbie Savage is officially the new manager of Peterborough United, confirmed at London Road after a week of mounting speculation. The 51-year-old leaves National League side Forest Green Rovers, where he guided the club to seventh place and a play-off eliminator exit last season, to take charge of a League One club that has endured a rocky start to the campaign.

Savage replaces Luke Williams, who was sacked on 19 September following a poor run of results. Posh had already advertised for a number eight, so the squad picture was already unsettled before the managerial search concluded. The appointment of Savage brings a high-profile resolution to that uncertainty, for better or worse.

From Old Trafford reject to League One manager

Savage's playing career is well documented: he came through Manchester United's youth academy alongside David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, never quite making it at Old Trafford, but carved out a substantial top-flight career nonetheless. Leicester City fans found him infuriating; opposition supporters largely agreed. He won 39 caps for Wales and became one of those midfielders the game tends to remember more for personality than passes.

Since retiring, he has been a fixture on BBC radio, co-hosted a popular podcast alongside Andrew Flintoff, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (where complaints were filed regarding, in the BBC's words, "tasteless and vulgar" dancing), and at some point donated his famous blond ponytail to the National Football Museum. He also, apparently, pays for a professional blow-dry every day. This is, by any measure, a colourful hire.

His managerial record is limited but not embarrassing. He managed Macclesfield FC before taking on Forest Green, and the seventh-place finish in the National League last season at least suggests he can organise a team. Whether that translates to the third tier remains to be seen.

What the profile brings, and what it does not

The appointment has already drawn comparisons, in some quarters, to Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham and Ed Sheeran's stake in Ipswich Town. Those comparisons are worth treating with some scepticism. Football finance analyst Kieran Maguire, quoted in the original BBC report, notes that clubs benefiting most from celebrity involvement tend to have a television series behind them, such as Disney's Welcome to Wrexham. "I don't think [Savage] by himself will make a difference," Maguire says flatly.

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer of Peterborough's business improvement district, is more optimistic, suggesting the appointment could bring "an influx of Welsh visitors to the city." That may be slightly ambitious, but the point about broader media attention is a fair one. London Road will likely see a few extra cameras in the coming weeks.

Whether the attendances follow is another matter. Peterborough crowds have fluctuated considerably over recent seasons, and supporters will ultimately care far more about results than profile.

Fan reaction: cautious rather than euphoric

Support from the terraces appears measured. John Verrall, co-host of the UpThePoshcast fans' podcast, welcomes the appointment and suggests things had grown "a bit stale" under Williams, hoping Savage's energy provides a spark. Adi Mowles, chairman of the Peterborough United Independent Supporters Association, is more guarded, reserving judgement until he sees Savage actually manage a match.

That is a sensible position. Posh need points, not publicity. The League One table does not award marks for personality, and the squad needs steadying after a difficult opening to the season. Savage's enthusiasm is not in question; his ability to translate it into third-tier results is the only thing that will matter come the spring.

He will be expected to make an early impression, and the fixture list will not wait for him to settle in. Peterborough's supporters have been patient through a turbulent period, and they deserve a manager who can deliver on the pitch, regardless of what he gets up to off it.

Frequently asked

Who is the new Peterborough United manager?
Robbie Savage, the former Wales international midfielder and BBC pundit, has been appointed as Peterborough United's new manager. He joins from National League club Forest Green Rovers.
Why was Luke Williams sacked by Peterborough?
Luke Williams was dismissed by Peterborough United on 19 September after a poor start to the League One season, with results failing to meet expectations at London Road.
What is Robbie Savage's managerial experience?
Savage has managed Macclesfield FC and, most recently, Forest Green Rovers in the National League, where he guided them to seventh place and a play-off eliminator last season. Peterborough is his biggest managerial appointment to date.