Exclusive: Robbie Savage is a top contender to be Blackburn Rovers manager
Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage is a top contender for the vacant Blackburn Rovers manager’s job, sources have told Football Insider.
Blackburn are searching for a new manager following the departure of Valerien Ismael earlier this week.
Former Rovers midfielder Savage fits the profile for the Ewood Park powerbrokers, who have been impressed at how he built a young team at Macclesfield and is also doing the same at Forest Green.
He also suits their plans to build from the academy and use a young squad. The 51-year-old shared his delight as Forest Green signed young midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko on loan from Fulham in January.
Mark Hughes is also among the contenders to join Blackburn, with the former Man United striker currently in charge of National League side Carlisle United.
Robbie Savage turning heads at Forest Green Rovers
Savage was appointed by Forest Green in July, and will hope to do what Steve Cotterill could not last season.
His predecessor led the side to a third-place finish in the National League, but they were beaten on penalties by Southend United in the play-off semi-final.
| Robbie Savage | Forest Green Rovers |
| Wins | 18 |
| Draws | 10 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Scored | 66 |
| Conceded | 46 |
Savage’s team have struggled for form of late, winning just one of their last five across all competitions, but they remain well-placed for promotion.
Forest Green boast a healthy 12-point gap to the first team outside of the play-off spots – ironically, Southend.
But Savage will be aware that maintaining form throughout the season is important if his side are to have any hope of going up.
The former Wales international’s management career began with Macclesfield FC, who he led to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.
Savage has already said what his management dream is
Savage has previously spoken about his dream to one day manage the Wales international team, although he admitted that it is a distant prospect at the moment.
A job at Blackburn, where the 51-year-old spent three years between 2005 and 2008 as a player, could be the perfect opportunity to push towards that dream, however.
Speaking to the Feast of Football podcast last year, Savage admitted that it is any proud Welshman’s dream to be in the position that Craig Bellamy currently stands.
“Of course you would [like to be Wales boss],” he said. “You’re a passionate Welshman. Of course I would, but I’m miles from that future.”
“I’m a million miles away from being a league [English Football League] manager, a Championship manager, Premier League manager, Wales manager,” he added.