Robbie Savage on Future as Wales Head Coach
Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage has stated that he is "miles away" from being considered for the Wales head coach position, but expressed a desire to manage his country in the future.
The 50-year-old former Wales midfielder is in the early stages of his management career, having taken the helm at Forest Green in July after a brief stint as caretaker manager at Macclesfield FC earlier in 2023.
Under his leadership, Forest Green has started the season unbeaten, securing six wins and three draws from their nine matches in the National League for the 2025-26 season.
This impressive performance has led to speculation linking Savage with managerial roles at higher-tier clubs, including the Wales national team, but he believes such discussions are premature.
“Of course I would like to be the Wales boss; I’m a passionate Welshman. But I’m miles from that future,” Savage said during an appearance on the Feast of Football podcast.
“I’ve had one season managing at step three and we achieved 109 points. Now, in the National League, we sit joint top after nine games, plus we’ve won both our games in the National League Cup. I’m a long way from being ready for a role in the English Football League, Championship, Premier League, or as the Wales manager. I recognize that.”
He continued, “When I first heard about the EFL job links, it was online. I know where I am right now. If someone asked me to manage a Championship team in front of 25,000 fans, I would turn it down because I’m not ready. I need to perform well for Forest Green and honor the trust they’ve placed in me, even if it means making mistakes.”
“I tell my players, ‘I’m going to make mistakes, and I need your help as much as you need mine. We’re in this together.’ Learning from mistakes is crucial, and I encourage them to share their thoughts because this is their game.”
Savage further emphasized his commitment to adaptability and learning as a manager, stating, “I’m willing to learn and listen to my players.”
Managerial Tactics Raise Eyebrows
Savage enhanced his managerial reputation with a 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night. His decision to make four substitutions in the first minute of the match drew attention, as he exploited a loophole in the regulations for National League Cup matches.
According to the rules, all clubs except those from the Premier League must include at least four players who started in their previous league game. Savage brought on forwards Tom Knowles, Kyle McAllister, left-back Neil Kengni, and center-back Abraham Kanu, only to substitute them off just a minute after kickoff. This strategy allowed them to be fresh for upcoming league matches against Woking and Altrincham.
“I know it raised eyebrows and some people think it’s not right, but the competition is beneficial for our youngsters, and our players need minutes. We want to win these competitions,” Savage explained. “However, it’s somewhat frustrating because after making those four early subs, I only had one substitute left for the remaining 89 minutes.”
Despite his extensive playing experience, including 39 caps for Wales and stints at clubs like Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, and Derby County, Savage expressed doubt about ever managing at the Premier League level. “I’m a realist. I honestly don’t think I’ll manage in the Premier League, but I believe I could manage in the Championship, especially with the plans Forest Green has in place.”
“I owe it to Dale Vince, the club owner, and the team’s management to give my best because they have provided me with this opportunity, just as Rob Smethurst did at Macclesfield.”
Support for Current Wales Manager
While Savage has distanced himself from the Wales coaching role, he commended current manager and former teammate Craig Bellamy for his performance. “The results have been very impressive. I remember his first game against Turkey, where he said that would be the worst it gets,” Savage noted.
“The performance against Kazakhstan wasn’t perfect, but it was a crucial win. We’ve faced tough challenges, and that victory was significant. Craig has his methods and is very passionate; he’s done exceptionally well, and I wish him all the best because it’s my country—the nation I grew up in.”