Robbie Savage's Bold Debut Leaves Leicester Reeling
11 October 2026
In a twist of fate, Robbie Savage’s first League One game as Peterborough's manager took place at Leicester, the club where he made his mark and developed a notorious reputation that has kept him in the spotlight of English football.
Savage has always been a larger-than-life character. Known for his long blond hair and relentless midfield style, he once held the record for the most bookings in Premier League history. His antics, including a memorable incident where he was fined for using referee Graham Poll’s toilet before a match, have crafted his image as a playful rogue.
Despite this quirky persona, Savage has been working diligently behind the scenes to earn respect as a manager. His stint at Macclesfield saw him lead the team to promotion with an impressive 109 points, and last season, he guided Forest Green Rovers to the National League playoffs.
However, skepticism has followed the 51-year-old throughout his managerial journey. During his interview with Peterborough’s board, Savage’s passion and vision for rejuvenating a young but struggling squad won them over. Club chair Darragh MacAnthony emphasized the need for Savage’s character and relentless work ethic throughout the organization.
When he took the reins at Peterborough, Savage immediately acknowledged the critics, recalling how he had been deemed not good enough when released by Manchester United. He’s familiar with overcoming adversity, and he’s ready to instill that belief in his new team.
On Saturday at King Power Stadium, Savage was a whirlwind on the sidelines, pumping his fists towards the traveling fans even before the match began. He was animated throughout the game, decked out in loose-fitting attire, constantly issuing instructions and cheering on his players.
Savage’s enthusiasm was contagious, and he joked afterward about his exhausting performance on the touchline. “I think I’ve done 10k in the technical area, kicking every ball for my team,” he remarked.
His fiery demeanor has previously earned him bans for overzealous celebrations, and he was at it again when celebrating his team’s goals against Leicester, including enthusiastically responding to a crunching tackle by one of his players.
In a fantastic start to his tenure, Savage led Peterborough to a 3-1 triumph against Leicester, putting the pressure squarely on the shoulders of the Foxes’ manager, Russell Martin. The Posh surged ahead with goals from Owura Edwards and Harry Leonard, with Leicester’s Warren O’Hora scoring an unfortunate own goal just before halftime.
Other results in League One saw Oxford secure a 2-1 victory over Notts County, while Plymouth snatched a late 2-1 win against Wimbledon, maintaining their lead at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Cardiff managed to stave off a late comeback from Sheffield Wednesday, ending their match in a 2-2 draw.
Savage’s high-paced style of play left Leicester vulnerable at times, a risk he appears willing to embrace. He’s determined to instill a similar attacking philosophy in Peterborough, creating a team that’s not just about results, but also about thrilling football that excites the fans.
As the match ended, the Posh supporters began chanting Savage's name, but he was so focused on orchestrating their next attack that he didn’t initially acknowledge their cheers. It’s clear that with this win, Robbie Savage is ready to make his mark in management, and he’s doing it his way.