Robbie Savage relishing battle against 'hero' Mark Hughes in huge National League clash

While the title is looking highly unlikely for the pair, a play-off finish is nailed on with only four points and three places separating the two clubs ahead of kick-off.

Yet, the clash takes on an even deeper meaning when you take a look at the two men who will occupy the dugouts at the New Lawn Stadium. 

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Robbie Savage and Mark Hughes reunite in the National League

Two names and faces who are by far and away the most familiar within the National League and who are no strangers to each other either, in Robbie Savage and Mark Hughes. 

Managers at either end of their careers, but with a huge connection for both club and country, but for this season, their only goal is to get their clubs back into the Football League. 

Savage enjoyed an emphatic start to the season with Forest Green, and while they might be enduring a sticky patch, that has not stopped him from being linked with his former club, Blackburn Rovers.

However, Savage admits that for all that he has seen as a manager so far, it will be a different kind of feeling when he shakes the hand of his opposite number on Saturday.  

"He's my hero, you know," Savage told DAZN's The Blueprint earlier in the season. 

"When you play with your hero for Wales and then when your hero signs you for Blackburn or when you're a youngster at Man United and your hero, who's from the same town as your ex, someone, you know, gives you a lift home, you know, I'm indebted to Mark. 

"I'll be going up against him, which is quite incredible to think that he was the Man City manager, the Fulham manager, the Blackburn manager." 

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Savage relishes Hughes meeting at Forest Green Rovers

Indeed, Hughes has managed at the very top both domestically and internationally, and is someone who managed Savage for Wales and during his time as boss at Blackburn.

Now, though, he's not only plotting how to get the better of his former player, but also trying to ensure Carlisle United bounce straight back up to League Two. 

Hughes has pretty much seen everything in football, and you can be sure that come kick-off, both mentor and mentee will be focused, despite their deep-rooted history together. 

"He's had an unbelievable career, but to be now managing the same league as him after one year is something," Savage adds. 

"He's at a fantastic football club in Carlisle. They'll be right up there, no doubt about it.

"I'll be excited to manage against him. We'll wind each other up, no doubt about it. But listen, I've got huge respect for him." 

How to watch Forest Green Rovers vs. Carlisle United exclusively on DAZN

You can watch this match as well as the whole of the 2025-26 season with a National League TV DAZN subscription.

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*3pm Saturday kick-offs subject to TV blackout restrictions, but available to watch later on Saturday on-demand