Robbie Savage appointed Peterborough manager on 'long-term' deal

WHAT HAPPENED
Peterborough United have appointed Robbie Savage as their new manager. The 51-year-old replaces Luke Williams, who was sacked on 19 September after a poor start that left Posh 23rd in League One. Savage has signed what the club describe as a "long-term" contract.

BACKGROUND ON SAVAGE
Savage arrives from Forest Green Rovers, who he was appointed to manage in July last year. He guided Forest Green to seventh in the National League last season but they were beaten in the play-off eliminators. This season Forest Green sit 13th after 11 matches, with four wins, three draws and four defeats. Before Forest Green, Savage managed Macclesfield and as a player he featured for Derby County, Birmingham City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

MANAGERIAL STYLE AND REACTION
On the club website Savage said he had been attracted to "the size of the club, the philosophy, working with young players and making them better". He added: "I am really looking forward to getting out there on the training ground, but I am a manager - I will be there for every session, but I believe in trusting the coaches in delivering the messages and the session." He also said: "I am not a manager who is going to want my teams to pass the ball around the back and chalk up 600 passes every game, we are going to go for it and attack... I will stand on that touchline and protect my players, it is a brilliant squad, I can't wait to get going, it is going to be fun."

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: "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." He praised Savage's "personality, character and mindset" and said the board were "blown away by him in an extensive interview".

CHALLENGES AHEAD
Savage inherits a side second from bottom of League One. Peterborough have scored only four league goals so far this season, and just two in their past 23 league fixtures stretching back into last season. The club have seen key players leave and summer replacements have yet to convince. Recent Posh managers have had short spells in charge: Luke Williams and Grant McCann each lasted nine months, and Steve Evans 10 months.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Savage will take charge for the first time when Peterborough host Ipswich Town Under-21s in the Jersey Mike's Trophy on 6 October. Their next league match is away at Leicester on 10 October.