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

The National League returns on Saturday, headlined by the top of the table clash between Carlisle United and Forest Green Rovers, live at teatime on DAZN. 

The two sides are locked on the same points in the division's top three, just a point behind league leaders Rochdale and are both expected to be in the conversation for promotion come the end of the season. 

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

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. 

After enjoying success with Macclesfield last season, guiding them to the National League North, Savage is proving to be a wise appointment by Rovers, who have only lost one game so far this campaign. 

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 at the start of 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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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 Rovers.

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 Carlisle United vs Forest Green 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.

Every game in the National League, and selected matches in National League North and National League South, is available on DAZN, either live and/or on-demand*. That's over 600 games all in one place.

NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.

If you do not have the App already then just follow these instructions....

• Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
• On a laptop or PC   visit www.DAZN.com/home
• Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
• You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf and FIFA+
• Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'

For more information and to sign up, head here now.

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