Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage will not be in the dugout for Tuesday night’s National League match against Wealdstone after being given permission to speak to another club.
The development was confirmed by goalkeeper coach Jonathan Gould at a press conference before the fixture. The source article, published on September 28, 2026, says the club Savage has permission to speak to is understood to be Peterborough United, which is looking for a new manager. Forest Green has not been reported as confirming that identification.
Savage’s absence adds to continuing uncertainty over the future of the Forest Green manager. In his place, Gould will work with fellow members of the coaching staff Yan Klukowski and Josh Bowen to oversee the match at The New Lawn.
Players were told on Monday morning
Gould said the players were informed first thing on Monday that Savage would not be present for the game. He acknowledged that some members of the squad would be disappointed, but said the group had to focus on its responsibilities to the club and its performance against Wealdstone.
“Robbie won’t be with us,”
Gould confirmed.
The temporary matchday arrangement brings together three coaches who, Gould said, have already spent five months working alongside one another through pre-season. He said they knew each other well and would combine their strengths for the team.
“There’s a group of us obviously here. There’s myself, Yan, and Josh. We’ve obviously been working together now for five months through pre-season, and we know each other very well.”
Gould added that the responsibility remained with the players to perform, regardless of the change in the dugout.
“The lads obviously are aware of it, but ultimately it’s always their responsibility to go out and perform and that’s all we’re going to impress on them.”
He said the players’ reactions had been mixed, with some likely to be disappointed, but insisted the squad had to continue working collectively and represent both the football club and the progress made during Savage’s time in charge.
“There’ll be disappointed ones at this moment in time, but we’ve just got to get on with what we’re doing as a group of people.”
Gould said the coaching group also represented the work completed by Forest Green over the previous 15 months under Savage.
Rovers face selection problems
Forest Green go into the Wealdstone fixture after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Sutton United on Saturday. Rovers twice held two-goal leads in that match, despite playing much of the second half with 10 men.
The squad will be without midfielder Jayden Clarke and defender Freddie Sass for Tuesday’s game. Clarke is suspended, while Sass was sent off during the second half at Sutton and is also suspended.
Gould described Clarke as an exceptional player during the season and highlighted the midfielder’s partnership with Tate Campbell. He said the pair had formed a strong relationship in the centre of the pitch, with Clarke providing an important driving force and scoring goals.
“Jayden’s been exceptional this season. He’s been a driving force, he’s scoring goals, and him and Tate (Campbell) have forged a fabulous relationship in there. They’re a strong midfield pairing.”
Gould also praised Sass’s character but said Forest Green had sufficient cover to deal with the defender’s absence. He pointed to the availability of other left-footed players and full-backs within the squad.
Injuries and international call-ups are affecting the selection options as well. Gould said around 18 or 19 players were currently available to the coaching staff.
Ewing fitness update
Midfielder Oli Ewing is another player being monitored after he came off the bench to score at Sutton United and then suffered an injury during the move.
Gould said Ewing appeared to have suffered a bad bruise. The midfielder had taken the ball forward, shown strength and finished despite being challenged by two defenders. Gould said Ewing had not wanted to leave the field, but the club hoped he would be fit for the next match.
“I think it’s a really bad bruise by the looks of it, and he’s not one that would come off the field lightly, especially having scored such a fabulous goal.”
Gould said Ewing remained a positive influence around the group while recovering.
Gould points to club’s progress
Although Savage’s future remains uncertain, Gould presented the situation as a possible reflection of Forest Green’s progress. He said Savage had represented the club well and might now have an opportunity to pursue one of his own ambitions elsewhere.
“This is a positive thing for the football club because of the fact that Robbie has represented us and he might have an opportunity to go somewhere to fulfil some of his ambitions.”
Gould also spoke positively about Forest Green’s organisation, the backing provided by its owner and the quality of its wider setup.
“It’s absolutely a fantastic football club, this. The setup is phenomenal. The backing that we get from the owner is brilliant.”
Gould joined Rovers in the summer after a coaching career that included work under Tony Pulis at both West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. He has also held coaching positions at Preston North End, Stoke City and with the New Zealand national team.
Before moving to Forest Green, Gould spent the previous two years as goalkeeping coach at Auckland FC. The source says he helped the club secure both the Premier Plate and Grand Final titles during that period.
He also has a personal connection with Forest Green’s former home. Gould recalled making his Bristol Rovers reserve-team debut at the old Lawn ground, where he later played against Arsenal and Tottenham. He said the return to the venue felt connected to his own footballing past.
For Tuesday night’s match, Gould, Klukowski and Bowen will therefore take responsibility for the team while Savage speaks to another club. Peterborough United is identified only as the club understood to be involved, and no confirmed decision about Savage’s future is stated in the supplied material.