Robbie Savage

Born in Wrexham, Savage started his playing career with local sides Brickfield Rangers{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WDW8f5hJWwcC&q=lex+xi&pg=PT14|title=Savage!: The Robbie Savage Autobiography|isbn=9781907195631|last1=Self|first1=Janine|last2=Savage|first2=Robbie|date=18 January 2011}} and Lex XI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/18607568.brymbo-chirk-queens-park-gresford-athletic-great-welsh-national-football-league-memories-come-flooding-back/|title=Looking back on 75 years of the Welsh National Football League|website=The Leader}} When he finished school, he joined Manchester United as a trainee and originally played as a striker. He played in the FA Youth Cup winning team of 1992, and was later given a professional contract, but never played a first-team game for the club and signed for Crewe Alexandra in 1994.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/guides/halloffame/sport/robbie_savage.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103070356/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/guides/halloffame/sport/robbie_savage.shtml |archive-date=3 January 2009 |title=Robbie Savage |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 October 2013}}

He switched into midfield early in his time at Crewe and proved himself as a competent young player, helping them reach the Division Two play-offs in his first two seasons at the club; a remarkable feat for a newly promoted club who had only played at this level twice in the previous 30 years. Crewe then made it third time lucky by sealing promotion via the play-offs in 1997. It was the first time that Crewe had reached the second tier of the English football league system, but shortly after helping Crewe win promotion, Savage handed in a transfer request to manager Dario Gradi.

File:Robbie Savage.jpg in 1997–98, his first season with the club.]] Savage was transferred to Premier League side Leicester City managed by Martin O'Neill, for a fee of £400,000, in July 1997. Savage spent five years at Leicester, where he made his name as a reliable, competitive and fiery midfielder. In 1999, Leicester reached the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur. In a controversial incident, Savage made a poor tackle on Tottenham's Justin Edinburgh who retaliated by swinging his arm out. Contact was minimal, but Savage fell to the ground. Edinburgh was sent off for raising his arms, and although Tottenham went on to win the final, many Spurs fans still hold a grudge against Savage for the incident to this day. However, a year later Savage reached the League Cup final again, this time winning 2–1 against Tranmere Rovers.

When Leicester were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2001–02 season he transferred to newly promoted Birmingham City for a fee of £1.25 million, signing a three-year contract.{{Cite news|title=Savage completes Blues move|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2011266.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 May 2002|access-date=29 October 2013}} He won the club's Player of the Year award in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~381742,00.html |title=Sav honoured with top award |publisher=Birmingham City FC |date=9 May 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330000027/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~381742,00.html |archive-date=30 March 2012}} At the beginning of January 2005 he submitted a written request for a transfer, allegedly wishing to be nearer his ailing parents in Wrexham. On 19 January, he completed a move to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £3 million, having scored 11 goals in 82 league games for Birmingham.

In his first five months as a Blackburn player, Savage helped his new club to Premier League safety and reached the FA Cup Semi-final, a 3–0 loss to Arsenal in his homeland's Millennium Stadium.

In March, Savage called an end to his international career after new manager John Toshack dropped him for a World Cup 2006 qualifying game against Austria.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4347199.stm |title=Savage announces Wales retirement |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2005 |access-date=8 January 2008}} His feud with Toshack and the Welsh FA continued long into the 2005–06 season as Savage insisted he retired from international football only because Toshack told him he was not good enough to play for Wales.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4347821.stm |title=Savage launches attack on Toshack |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2005 |access-date=29 October 2013}}

In 2005–06, Savage was a regular performer for Blackburn, making 42 appearances and scoring once,{{cite web|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10270~5753,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101184601/http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10270~5753%2C00.html |archive-date= 1 January 2011 |title=Profiles: Robbie Savage |publisher=Derby County FC |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead }} against former club Birmingham.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4906896.stm |title=Birmingham 2–1 Blackburn |publisher=BBC |date=19 April 2006 |access-date=24 October 2009 }} The following season, he scored against Salzburg{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5341296.stm |title=SV Salzburg 2–2 Blackburn |publisher=BBC |date=14 September 2006 |access-date=29 October 2013 |first=Chris |last=Bevan }} and Wisła Kraków{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6050946.stm |title=Wisla Krakow 1–2 Blackburn |publisher=BBC |date=19 October 2006 |access-date=29 October 2013 |first=John |last=May }} in Rovers' UEFA Cup campaign, but his season was cut short by a broken leg in January, which kept him out for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6293089.stm |title=Savage suffers broken leg agony |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2007 |access-date=29 October 2013}}

During the 2007–08 season, Savage endured further problems with his knee, suffering a knock in the 2–1 win at Spurs after being caught by Robbie Keane. Surgery was required which kept him out of the starting lineup for six weeks. Following the return of Steven Reid to the Rovers starting lineup and some good form by David Dunn, he found it harder to get into the starting XI. Savage was well liked by the Blackburn fans and was given a standing ovation by a near capacity ground by the Rovers fans when he returned with Derby.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn-3-1-derby-727061 |title=Blackburn 3–1 Derby |work=Daily Mirror |date=4 May 2008 |access-date=29 October 2013}}

It was revealed by then Sunderland manager Roy Keane in his 2014 autobiography, that he had been given permission by Blackburn to sign Savage during the end of his time at Blackburn; however he was put off by Savage's "wazzupp" voicemail, with Keane describing his thoughts after hearing this as "I can't be fucking signing that".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/07/roy-keane-abba-robbie-savage-ellis-short-pablo-counago|title=Roy Keane: 10 more gems, including Abba, Robbie Savage and Cork men|first=Daniel|last=Taylor|date=7 October 2014|via=www.theguardian.com}}

File:Robbie Savage.png in the 2007–08 season]]

On 9 January 2008, Savage joined Derby County for a fee of £1.5 million on a two-and-a-half-year contract,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7166114.stm |title=Savage completes switch to Derby |date=9 January 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}} and later revealed that he had taken a pay cut to join Derby in his search for first-team football and had rejected a move to Sunderland because he felt Derby had wanted him more.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7166114.stm |title=Savage delighted after Derby move |date=9 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport}} As the number 8 shirt, which he had worn at previous clubs, was already allocated to then-captain Matthew Oakley, he took the number 44 shirt because the numbers add up to 8.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132267&command=displayContent&sourceNode=128309&contentPK=19508428&folderPk=55124&pNodeId=124562 |title=The numbers add up for Savage |work=Derby Evening Telegraph |date=10 January 2008 |access-date=17 January 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}} He was appointed the new Derby captain after Oakley was sold to Leicester, and he skippered the Derby side in his first match, a 1–0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7172806.stm |title=Derby 0–1 Wigan |date=12 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport |first=David |last=McIntyre}}

Rumours of Savage leaving Derby came in July 2008 when he missed out on every pre-season match. In August, Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric declared an interest in Savage, which was dismissed by Derby.{{cite news |title=Rams dismiss Foxes' Savage claims |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7544511.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2008 |access-date=29 October 2013 }} Paul Jewell repeatedly left Savage out of the team, after Derby's poor start to the 2008–2009 season,{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/ROBBIE-LET-PROVE/story-11556676-detail/story.html |title=local sport derby county savage |work=Derby Evening Telegraph |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232756/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/ROBBIE-LET-PROVE/story-11556676-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 }} and he was replaced as captain by Alan Stubbs. Stubbs was forced to retire shortly into the new season through injury, but Savage was not considered for the role due to not being in the first team, and the armband went to Paul Connolly.

After failing to break back into the first team, Savage was sent out on loan in October to Brighton for a month to keep match fit.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7638068.stm|title=Brighton capture Savage on loan |access-date=2 October 2008|date=29 October 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} He would later reveal one year later, in a build-up to a match between Leicester and Derby County, that he had tried to secure a loan deal to the Walkers Stadium (Leicester had declared an interest in him months earlier). Savage even telephoned club ambassador Alan Birchenall and former teammate Paul Dickov to put in a good word with manager Nigel Pearson. Pearson, however, "said no", despite Derby offering to pay "90 or 95 per-cent" of Savage's wages.{{cite news|title=Robbie Savage wanted to return to Leicester City |url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Robbie-Savage-wanted-return-Leicester-City/story-12093396-detail/story.html |work=Leicester Mercury |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163429/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Robbie-Savage-wanted-return-Leicester-City/story-12093396-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 }} Following Jewell's resignation as Derby manager, Savage found himself brought back into first team contention by new manager Nigel Clough, who made him first choice in central midfield. Savage scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 loss to Doncaster Rovers on 27 February 2009.{{cite news |title=Doncaster 2–1 Derby |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7899729.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=18 January 2020 }}

Savage signed a one-year extension to his Derby contract with the club on 10 August 2009 to take him through to the end of the 2010–11 season. The next day, he was named in the Championship Team of the Week for his performance in the opening day victory over Peterborough United.{{cite web|title=Team of the Week (10/08/2009) |publisher=The Football League |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/22/3c/0,,10794~146466,00.pdf |date=11 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007134410/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/22/3c/0%2C%2C10794~146466%2C00.pdf |archive-date= 7 October 2009 }} Later that month, Savage was renamed as Captain of Derby County, replacing Paul Connolly, who manager Nigel Clough wanted to "concentrate on his own game".{{cite news|title=Switch of skipper will aid Connolly |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Switch-skipper-aid-Connolly/story-11641378-detail/story.html |work=Derby Evening Telegraph |date=19 August 2009 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018114211/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Switch-skipper-aid-Connolly/story-11641378-detail/story.html |archive-date=18 October 2014 }} In response, Savage said that: "I did not deserve the captaincy when I first came to the club. I was handed it from the first day and I shouldn't have been. It was too much pressure for me and I had a nightmare. I let it get to me. I think I'm ready for it now. I feel more comfortable with it now."{{cite news|title=Sav: Now I'm ready for role of captain |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Sav-m-ready-role-captain/story-11642316-detail/story.html |work=Derby Evening Telegraph |date=21 August 2009 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003028/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Sav-m-ready-role-captain/story-11642316-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 }} Derby struggled once again during the season, not achieving safety until the 44th fixture, but the season was a personal success for Savage as he appeared in all but one of Derby's 51 league and cup fixtures during the campaign, the match which he missed being due to suspension, starting 49 of them. He also scored twice; a free kick against Queens Park Rangers in a 4–2 home defeat and a volley at Sheffield United in a 1–1 draw. He also won the club's own Player of the Year award{{cite news |title=Robbie Savage named Derby County player of the year |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-savage-named-derby-county-1926607 |website=Wales Online |date=30 April 2010 }} but lost out on the fan's award to Shaun Barker.{{cite web|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2040161,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006020640/http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10270~2040161%2C00.html |archive-date= 6 October 2010 |title=Top Award for Barker |publisher=Derby County FC |date=1 May 2010 |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}

Savage again started in the Derby first XI in the 2010–11 season in a new 4–2–3–1 formation around new signing James Bailey, though Derby got off to a poor start winning just one of their opening seven league games, with Savage's form making fans question the justification for his place in the team and his status as skipper.{{cite news |title=Ramsweek 38 – Reality |url=http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/derbycounty/news/9339/ramsweek-38-reality |website=fansnetwork |date=20 September 2010 }} He made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–2 draw against Queens Park Rangers before he was dropped to the bench for a 1–1 draw at Barnsley, the first game he had played no part in for Derby (barring unavailability for selection) since Nigel Clough's arrival as manager in January 2009.

Savage played in goal for Derby on 11 March 2010, when Stephen Bywater was taken off with a back injury against Reading. He let in two goals during his 45 minutes in the Derby goal.{{cite news |first=Sandy |last=Macaskill |title=Robbie Savage shines in goal for Derby County against Reading |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/derby-county/7420192/Robbie-Savage-shines-in-goal-for-Derby-County-against-Reading.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=United Kingdom |date=11 March 2010 |access-date=21 November 2014 }}

On 16 October 2010, Savage played his 600th career match in a 3–0 victory on Preston North End, scoring an injury-time penalty to seal the win.{{cite news |first=John |last=Arnfield |title=Derby 3–0 Preston: Spot-on Robbie Savage hits 600 club games |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/derby-3-0-preston-spot-on-robbie-1693455 |work=The People |date=16 October 2010 }} In January 2011, Savage revealed that he was considering leaving the club for a move to Vancouver Whitecaps, Savage stating: "One thing is for sure, I will be leaving Derby County at the end of the season, if not before, even if they offer me a new contract. My time is up here. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Derby and I want to walk away with my head held high".{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Savage-ponders-Vancouver-s-offer-MLS/story-11601976-detail/story.html |title=Savage ponders Vancouver's offer to move to MLS |date=13 January 2011 |work=thisisderbyshire |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222032326/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Savage-ponders-Vancouver-s-offer-MLS/story-11601976-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 }} One fan responded by telephoning Savage during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live and telling him to "leave the club now" and "take young Mr. Clough with him".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00d8068|title=Derby fan tells Savage to leave the club now|date=13 January 2011 |publisher=BBC}} Savage eventually rejected the move, stating it was too big a move for his family.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9359949.stm |title=Savage turns down Vancouver move |date=23 January 2011 |website=BBC Sport }} On 31 January 2011, Savage announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season to concentrate on his growing media career.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9383048.stm |title=Robbie Savage to end playing career at end of season |date=31 January 2011 |website=BBC Sport}} In his last two games, a home loss against Bristol City and an away defeat at Reading, he was met with a round of applause and a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.

On 24 November 2019, Savage came out of retirement to join Stockport Town of the North West Counties League.{{Cite web |title=Robbie Savage signs for Stockport Town in 10th tier |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 November 2019 |access-date=24 November 2019 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50538921}} He made his league debut for the club the following evening, as an 80th-minute substitute in a 3–2 victory over FC Oswestry Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50553284|title=Robbie Savage makes Stockport Town debut after eight years out of football|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2019|access-date=1 October 2021}} That was his only appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwcfl.com/clubpage.php?id=789 |title=Stockport Town: Squad details |publisher=North West Counties Football League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409073959/https://www.nwcfl.com/clubpage.php?id=789 |archive-date=9 April 2020}} Select Squad tab for appearances and goals.

Savage played at under-18 and under-21 level for Wales{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/robbie-savage-254/|title=Robbie Savage|website=11v11.com}} before making his senior international debut in 1995 against Albania while at Crewe. Savage attained 39 caps, scoring two goals, both in World Cup qualifying against Turkey and Norway, before retiring from international football in September 2005, saying he wished to concentrate on his club career.{{cite web |url=http://www.football.co.uk/blackburn_rovers/savage_quits_international_scene_189851.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013130719/http://www.football.co.uk/blackburn_rovers/savage_quits_international_scene_189851.shtml |archive-date=13 October 2007 |title=Savage quits international scene |publisher= football.co.uk|date=29 September 2005 |access-date=29 October 2013}} However, many people believe the reason he quit was due to a spat with Wales manager John Toshack. Savage did give the explanation that "John Toshack said it was my way or the highway – well I'm on the M56."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrischarles/2009/12/quotes_of_the_decade_part_ii.html|title=Quotes of the decade – part II|last=Charles|first=Chris|date=31 December 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 December 2009}}

On 6 March 2006, he appeared on Welsh radio, partaking in a debate with pundit Leighton James over his exclusion from the Wales squad. Early in his international career he clashed with former Wales manager Bobby Gould when he jokingly threw a replica of Paolo Maldini's shirt into a disposal bin before a match against Italy.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/165192.stm |work=BBC News |title=Wales reprieve for Savage |date=5 September 1998 }} Savage was initially dropped by Gould from the squad only to be reinstated the next day.

File:Robbie savage derby.jpg in 2010]]

Savage's style as a midfield player was all-action and energetic, and he regularly collected yellow cards, and for a while held the dubious distinction of being awarded the most yellow cards of any Premiership player in the league's history – 89, although he has now been overtaken by Lee Bowyer, Kevin Davies and Paul Scholes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/index.html|title=Players Index|access-date=29 October 2013|archive-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703054242/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/index.html|url-status=dead}} Fans of Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Arsenal have accused him of simulation, whether to win a set piece or to get an opponent red carded.{{Cite news |title=Robbie Savage – saint or sinner? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2818281.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |first=Stuart |last=Roach}}

During a match against Newcastle United in August 2003, the referee Matt Messias swung his arm out and accidentally hit Savage in the face as Savage was running behind him.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3172823.stm |title=Newcastle crash again |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2003 |access-date=12 June 2009}} On 17 January 2010, whilst commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of a Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park, a clearance by Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov hit Savage in the face causing some minor bleeding to the nose.{{Cite news |title=Pundit Savage hit in face by clearance |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8464392.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2010 }}

Savage has, however, only been sent off twice in his career: once during an international game for the Welsh national team, and once during a Premier League game for Blackburn. He received his first-ever red card when he was sent off in Wales' World Cup qualification match against Northern Ireland in September 2004 for reacting to a foul on him by midfielder Michael Hughes. Both Hughes and Savage were sent off, but, on later review, the punishment of Savage seemed harsh to some.{{WHO|date=November 2020}} Savage was ridiculed for threatening to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights over the decision.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} His once-impressive statistic of never being sent off in a Premiership match ended on 18 March 2006 when he was dismissed against Middlesbrough for two bookable offences. Both were controversial – the first for a challenge on George Boateng where he appeared to take the ball, and the second for handball when it seemed unintentional.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} Savage later admitted that he was probably due a controversial sending off because he had escaped punishment for illegal challenges in the past.

One famous example of his eccentric behaviour was while he played for Leicester City. In an incident to become known as "Poogate" he used the referee's toilet before a game, claiming he had an upset stomach due to the effects of prescribed antibiotics. He lost his appeal against The Football Association's decision to fine him £10,000, and Leicester fined him two weeks' wages for the incident.{{cite news |title=Leicester fine Savage in toilet row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1948099.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2002 }}{{cite news |title=Savage to appeal against fine |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2198347.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2002 }}

Whilst playing for Leicester, in the final minute of a league game against rivals Derby at Pride Park in 2001, Savage dived in the penalty area. Leicester were awarded the penalty, which was converted, and meant they won the game 3–2. Savage's blatant dive, his hopeful look at the referee and his aggressive fist-pumping celebration in front of the home fans resulted in a torrent of abuse from the fans and in Savage being chased across the pitch by incensed Derby players, two of whom were booked. Derby fans regularly booed, jeered and abused Savage whenever he played against them, and when he became a Derby player in January 2008, he was treated with a mixture of hostility and indifference, partly over the incident, and partly over his average form.{{cite news |title=SMITH FUMES AT 'ROBBIE-RY'; DERBY 2 LEICESTER 3 Post-match |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+SMITH+FUMES+AT+'ROBBIE-RY'+DERBY+2+LEICESTER+3+Post-match...-a078320960 |work=Sunday Mirror |date=16 September 2001 |author=Richard Lewis }}{{cite news |title=The 10... best football dives |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1072648,00.html |publisher=Observer Sport Monthly |date=2 November 2003 |author=David Hills |location=London }}{{cite news |title=Robbie Savage: Your views |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/articles/2008/01/08/savage_signing_your_thoughts_2008_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2008 }}

Savage is also famous for an incident at Villa Park, while playing for Birmingham City, in a bad-tempered Second City derby in March 2003. After a slide tackle on him by Dion Dublin, a confrontation between the two and several other players occurred before Dublin headbutted Savage. Dublin was then sent off by referee Mark Halsey as result.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/80999/report.html?soccernet=true |title=Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |access-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420192002/http://espnfc.com/en/report/80999/report.html?soccernet=true |archive-date=20 April 2014 }} Birmingham would go on to win the derby 0–2.

When being interviewed by BBC Radio Derby's Colin Gibson in January 2010, Savage reacted furiously to rumours he heard that the Derby players think the club's backroom staff are not up to the job. These rumours were brought up during a phone-in on Gibson's show on the station the preceding weekend, following the Rams' 4–1 defeat at home to Scunthorpe United on 9 January.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8453058.stm |title=Furious Robbie Savage hits back at Derby County rumours |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 January 2010 |date=29 October 2013 }}

Savage occasionally acted as a pundit during his club career,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4083423.stm Johnson: 'Savage for skipper'] BBC Sport. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 18 July 2012.[http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/globalsport/tm_objectid=15040411&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=it-s-a-savage-world-----name_page.html It's a Savage world] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509191126/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/globalsport/tm_objectid%3D15040411%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50002%26headline%3Dit-s-a-savage-world-----name_page.html |date= 9 May 2012 }} Jawad, Hyder. 5 January 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2012. and started working in the media more regularly in the 2009–10 season.[http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12DDB844D7ACCE68&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 Savage ready to put his mouth where money is – Life as media pundit provides unlikely future] Peter Lansley, The Times (reprint hosted atNewsBank). 13 February 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2012. He worked in a number of different punditry roles during the 2010 FIFA World Cup before joining the presenting team for BBC Radio 5 Live's 6-0-6 show.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/i-think-people-are-starting-to-like-me-says-savage-2133606.html I think people are starting to like me, says Savage] Culley, Jon. The Independent. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2012. In September 2010, Savage signed up as official sporting ambassador for bookmakers William Hill.[http://news.williamhill.com/en/a/football-previews/robbie-savage-signs-for-william-hill/ Robbie Savage signs for William Hill] William Hill. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2012. In May 2011 he was awarded the Sony Radio Academy Rising Star Award,{{cite web|last=Malone |first=Sam |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/soccer-star-savage-wins-award-1832682 |title=Soccer star Savage wins award – for presenting |publisher=WalesOnline |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=29 October 2013}} as well as winning an award from the Plain English Campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/12_december/10/robbie.shtml |publisher=BBC |title=Radio 5 Live's Robbie Savage wins plain speaking award |date=14 December 2010 }}

Between 2009 and 2013, Savage was a pundit on ESPN, and has since moved to TNT Sports.

Since retiring from football in May 2011, Savage has attempted to become a more prominent broadcasting figure beyond punditry. From September 2011 Savage took part in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/2011/dancers/celebrity/robbie_savage.shtml |title=Strictly Come Dancing |work=BBC News |date=17 October 2011 |access-date=29 October 2013 }} partnering Ola Jordan. The show broadcast on 22 October saw Savage perform a dramatic knee-slide towards the camera, which resulted in a broken nose.{{Cite web|url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/38308-robbie-savage-breaks-nose-during-strictly-stumble/|title=Robbie Savage breaks nose during Strictly stumble|date=24 October 2011|website=The List}} Savage and Jordan were eliminated from the competition in the quarterfinal on 4 December 2011, placing sixth.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/2011/12/robbie-savage-leaves-strictly.shtml |title=Robbie Savage leaves Strictly |access-date=5 December 2011}}

In October 2012, along with 463 other players, Savage took part in BBC Radio 5 Live's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the 'most players in a continuous 5 a side exhibition match'. This was for BBC Children in Need along with comedian Lloyd Langford and BBC Radio 5 Live travel reporter Lindsey Chapman.{{cite web|author=Lindsey Chapman|url=http://lindseychapman.co.uk/2012/10/14/5-live-aside-guinness-world-record/|title=BBC Radio 5 live-a-side NEW Guinness World Record!|publisher=lindseychapman.co.uk|date=12 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070338/http://lindseychapman.co.uk/2012/10/14/5-live-aside-guinness-world-record/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}{{cite web|author=Laugh Out Loud|url=https://lolcomedyclubs.co.uk/comedian/lloyd-langford/|title=Lloyd Langford|publisher=lolcomedyclubs.co.uk}} Along with Ex-England cricketer Andrew Flintoff, Savage is part of a BBC Radio 5 Live podcast called Flintoff, Savage & The Ping Pong Guy, hosted by former table tennis player Matthew Syed, which discussed current sporting topics.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fr7t1|title=Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 March 2017}}

Savage's involvement with Stockport Town led to him becoming involved with the creation of phoenix club Macclesfield F.C. in October 2020.{{Cite web |first=Alex |last=Scapens |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/footballing-future-macclesfield-given-boost-19067618 |title=Footballing future in Macclesfield given boost as the Silkmen are bought |publisher=Cheshire Live |date=2020-10-07 |accessdate=2021-05-18 |archive-date=2021-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418133826/https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/footballing-future-macclesfield-given-boost-19067618 |url-status=live }} Macclesfield owner Robert Smethurst appointed Savage as a member of the board (later director of football) with Danny Whitaker as manager.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54526501 |title=Macclesfield FC: Robert Smethurst takes over club as Robbie Savage joins board |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2020-10-13 |accessdate=2021-05-18}} On 30 August 2021, Macclesfield defeated local rivals Congleton Town 1–0 in the NWCFL Premier Division;[https://www.nwcfl.com/lineups.php?id=12860 Lineups: Macclesfield 1–0 Congleton Town], North West Counties Football League. Retrieved: 9 September 2021. the match was suspended for several minutes late in the second half due to crowd trouble, during which Savage intervened to break up fighting.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/robbie-savage-macclesfield-fight-brawl-24872139 |title=Robbie Savage bravely steps in to break up fight at Macclesfield game |work=Daily Mirror |date=30 August 2021 |accessdate=9 September 2021 }}

On 17 June 2024, Robbie Savage was appointed head coach at Macclesfield.{{cite news |title=Robbie Savage named as Silkmen head coach |url=https://macclesfieldfc.com/latest-news/robbie-savage-named-as-silkmen-head-coach/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=Macclesfield F.C. |date=17 June 2024}}{{cite news |title=Macclesfield appoint Savage as head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clddqww53nzo |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2024}}

Under his leadership, the club secured promotion to the National League North on 22 March 2025 after defeating Bamber Bridge, becoming champions of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Savage was born in Wrexham on 18 October 1974, to Colin and Valerie Savage.{{cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Robbie Savage retirement special: Loved ones, former team-mates, old foes and Graham Poll say farewell to Mr Marmite on the day of his final pro game |url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Robbie-Savage-retirement-special-Loved-ones-former-team-mates-old-foes-and-Graham-Poll-say-farewell-to-Mr-Marmite-on-the-day-of-his-final-pro-game-article732594.html |access-date=11 May 2011 |publisher=MirrorFootball.co.uk}} He attended Ysgol Bryn Alyn in Gwersyllt until he completed his GCSE studies in July 1991. On leaving school, Savage joined Manchester United as an apprentice.

Savage and his wife Sarah have two sons.{{cite web |last=Currie |first=Mark |date=6 January 2005 |title=Always his own man, Sav refuses to hide |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/always-man-sav-refuses-hide-2917204 |access-date=29 October 2013 |work=Daily Post}} In 2012 one of his sons, Charlie, was attached to Manchester United's youth academy and in April 2021 he signed his first professional contract with the club.{{cite web |last1=Barkham |first1=Patrick |date=11 February 2012 |title=Robbie Savage: My family values |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/11/robbie-savage-strictly-dancing-family-values |access-date=29 October 2013 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Railston |first=Steven |date=7 April 2021 |title=Charlie Savage signs first professional contract at Manchester United |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-charlie-savage-contract-20336083 |website=Manchester Evening News}} On 8 December 2021, Savage provided commentary for BT Sport in the match where his son Charlie made his senior Manchester United debut in the UEFA Champions League, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw against Young Boys.{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Simon |date=8 December 2021 |title=Man Utd 1–1 Young Boys: Youthful United side held in final Champions League group game |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59570192 |accessdate=8 December 2021}}

Robbie Savage's father was diagnosed with Pick's disease, a dementia-type illness, when he was in his mid-50s, and died in 2012.{{cite web |last=Roper |first=Matt |date=26 April 2011 |title=Robbie Savage's tears for his dad – and the end of his football career |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/robbie-savages-tears-for-his-dad---124798 |access-date=29 October 2013 |work=Daily Mirror}} Savage is an ambassador for the dementia care and research charity, the Alzheimer's Society.{{cite news |date=8 April 2015 |title=VIDEO: Robbie Savage and Katie Hopkins clash over dementia |work=The Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/videos/entertainment/video-robbie-savage-and-katie-hopkins-clash-over-dementia-31127201.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 April 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150408161751/http://www.independent.ie/videos/entertainment/video-robbie-savage-and-katie-hopkins-clash-over-dementia-31127201.html |archive-date=8 April 2015}}

Savage had said in the future he would have liked to finish his career at home town club Wrexham before going on to manage them.{{cite web |date=1 October 2008 |title=Robbie Savage: I will be Wrexham FC manager one day |url=http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/wrexhamfc/Robbie-Savage-I-will-be.4547695.jp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205021342/http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/wrexhamfc/Robbie-Savage-I-will-be.4547695.jp |archive-date=5 December 2008 |access-date=29 October 2013 |publisher=Evening Leader}} He also said that the greatest regret of his football career was not signing for Everton when he had the chance in 2005.{{cite web |date=6 August 2010 |title=Everton FC – News – Robbie Savage regrets missing out on Everton FC move |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-savage-regrets-missing-out-3398269 |access-date=19 October 2013 |work=Liverpool Echo}}

Savage published a biography in 2011, Savage!, written with Janine Self, and in 2015 published I'll Tell You What..., a book of memoir and punditry.{{cite book |author=Robbie Savage |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VHCACgAAQBAJ |title=I'll Tell You What... |date=8 October 2015 |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |isbn=978-1-4721-2318-3}}{{cite book |author1=Janine Self |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WDW8f5hJWwcC |title=Savage!: The Robbie Savage Autobiography |author2=Robbie Savage |date=18 January 2011 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1-907195-63-1}}

In October 2014, Savage was awarded an honorary fellowship at Wrexham's Glyndŵr University for services to sport.{{cite news |date=29 October 2014 |title=Robbie Savage gets honorary fellowship from Glyndwr Uni |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-29819550 |access-date=29 October 2014}}

{{notelist}}

Appearances and goals by national team and year{{NFT player|id=7285|name=Robbie Savage|accessdate=11 May 2011}}

International goals

: Scores and results list Wales's goal tally first. Score column lists score after each Savage goal.

{{International goals header}}

|-

| 1 || 20 August 1997 || Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey || {{fb|TUR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 2–2 ||style="text-align:center"| 4–6 || 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification || {{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/turkey-v-wales-20-august-1997-247513/|title=Turkey v Wales, 20 August 1997|website=11v11.com |access-date=20 April 2020}}

|-

| 2 || 5 September 2001 || Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway || {{fb|NOR}} ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 ||style="text-align:center"| 2–3 || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification || {{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/norway-v-wales-05-september-2001-270981/|title=Norway v Wales, 05 September 2001|website=11v11.com |access-date=20 April 2020}}

|}

{{updated|match played 27 April 2025}}

Manchester United Youth

• FA Youth Cup: 1991–92{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-manchester-uniteds-class-of-92-1070596.html |title=Football: Manchester United's class of '92 |newspaper=The Independent |date=13 February 1999 |access-date=8 February 2019}}

Leicester City

• Football League Cup: 1999–2000;{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/658945.stm |title=Leicester triumph at Wembley |work=BBC News |date=27 February 2000 |access-date=8 February 2019}} runner-up: 1998–99{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/300408.stm |title=Sport: Football: Nielsen nicks it for Spurs |work=BBC News |date=22 March 1999 |access-date=8 February 2019}}

Macclesfield FC

• NPL Premier Division: 2024–25

Scholastic

Chancellor, visitor, governor, rector and fellowships

{{Expand list|date=December 2020}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Robbie Savage}}

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Category:1974 births

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