Former Premier League star 'emerges as shock candidate for managerial position at Non-League club' following promotion heartbreak

Former Premier League star Robbie Savage has emerged as a surprise contender for the managerial role at National League side Forest Green Rovers, according to reports.

Current Rovers boss Steve Cotterill is reportedly close to leaving the club after failing to lead them back to the English Football League last season.

The 60-year-old guided the Gloucestershire club to third place in the National League, but they were knocked out in the play-offs by Southend, who went on to lose in the final.

And now after nearly 18 months in charge, Cotterill is set to depart as owner Dale Vince continues to shake things up at the New Lawn after appointing a new director of football, Mark Bowen, earlier this month.

One of Bowen's first actions in his new role is seemingly to bring in his former Wales team-mate Savage - whose son Charlie spent six months at Forest Green in 2023 - as head coach, according to TalkSPORT.

The ex-Leicester and Birmingham midfielder is the current part-owner and manager of Macclesfield FC, the phoenix club of Macclesfield Town, who will take their place in the National League North next season, just one division below Forest Green.

The Welshman previously served as Macclesfield's director of football before being appointed as manager in June of last year.

He led the Cheshire side to their third promotion in four seasons as they romped to the Non-League Premier title by 26 points.

Savage penned a new two-year contract at Macclesfield just last month as they look to continue their climb up the English football pyramid.

Speaking after signing the deal, he revealed that he had turned down offers to leave Macclesfield in order to stay put.

'It's a club that's close to my heart,' he said. 'What myself and Rob and the volunteers, the staff have all achieved: three promotions in four years, an FA trophy semi-final, record-breaking season last year.

'You know interest from other clubs, as Rob has alluded to, I just wanted to show everybody my commitment to this football club.

'It's my future. For the next couple of years, it's going to be here. It's a project. It's a journey. I can't leave that dressing room.

'The lads have been spectacular, been amazing. Togetherness has been incredible. So I'm on that journey with them.'

However, he is believed to have met Bowen in Stroud on Tuesday following reports that Cotterill was close to being given the boot.

Reports that Cotterill will leave Nailsworth have come despite the club only losing seven of their 46 league matches last season.