Robbie Savage has only eyes for promotion as Forest Green Rovers prepare for National League curtain-raiser

The National League returns this weekend, and it's arguably a season where there are more big names part of the division than ever before. 

Whether that's the size of the club's competing, the player's on the pitch or the names in the dugout, 2025-26 has the hallmarks of a must-see season - and you won't miss a moment's action on DAZN. 



A big factor in that anticipation comes from the new man in charge at Forest Green Rovers. Robbie Savage has replaced Steve Cotterill at the Gloucestershire club, and his signature charismatic style is set to be one of this season's talking points. 

The aim for Savage is simple, too. Forest Green were in a three-way title race last season until falling away towards the end of the season and then losing in the play-offs, so a return to the Football League is the aim for the former Premier League midfielder. 

"I want to win the league and we want to win the league or we want to go up through the play-offs," Savage stated on the first episode of DAZN's The Blueprint. 

"But speaking with the owner, Dale, he's gone on record saying that if we don't go up, it won't be the end of the world because I feel and we feel that in the four years which I've signed I believe this football club will get promoted.

"But if the culture has changed, if there's a reset and it won't take time, I believe it will go up in the time I'm here. And if it doesn't, I know the consequences. I've got no doubt about that.

"You know, we've got a healthy budget, a budget which we should be competing at the top end of the division.  I've seen all the predictions. I think we were predicted to be fifth or sixth, which I was disappointed with.

"I think it would be higher than that. So again, I'm under no illusions.  All the way through my career, I've survived changing rooms.

"That's what you do as a player, more so as a manager. You survive. I survived as a player and I'm going to do everything I can to survive as a manager.

"I'm going to turn every stone over with me and my staff. And if inevitably I'm not good enough,  I'm not scared of the sack."

Savage is no stranger to leading a team to promotion. Last year, he led Macclesfield to the National League North, and now his mission with Rovers begins on Saturday with a trip to Solihull Moors, managed by another former Premier League face in Matt Taylor. 

The Welshman knows it will be a tough baptism of fire for him, and like at every awayday this season, he's expecting a raucous crowd and even has some 'fond' memories of the last time he played Damson Park. 



Admitting, "I expect a tough game.  You know, I've seen Dan Creaney's goal in pre-season, the volley.  It was very Robin van Persie-esque with that left foot.

"Listen, every test, every game is going to be a test. Not just because of the way we do things at Forest Green, but because now, you know, I'm the manager.

"I'm under no illusion. I've been going to grounds I've not been to before, which is great. I remember my last visit to Solihull Moores.

"I was playing for Birmingham Reserves.  It was when I was going from Birmingham to Blackburn. You know, I was made to play at Solihull on the reserve side.Getty Images

"And I think it had a fallout. It was probably one of the biggest crowds I've ever had there.  And that was my last ever game for Birmingham.

"Then I went to Blackburn. So again, have I got fond memories there of Solihull Moores? Not really, because I think it was quite a vociferous crowd on that day with, you know, banners out, flags out, you know, because I wanted to go to Blackburn. So again, it's a brilliant football club.

"I met the owner when I was doing a TV show. Really nice guy, nice people. But listen, we want to go there and win the game." 
 

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