Robbie Savage appointed Macclesfield manager in bizarre circumstances as he brings in England cult hero

ROBBIE SAVAGE has been named as the new manager of Macclesfield – after another club tried to take him.

The 49-year-old former Welsh midfielder, who came through the ranks at Manchester United before going on to star for Leicester City and Birmingham, was director of football at the non-league outfit.

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Robbie Savage has been named as the new manager of Macclesfield[/caption]

However, the former EFL side have now announced that he will take his first job as a manager after a rival tried to lure him away.

And that means that Michael Clegg, who led the Phoenix club into the Northern Premier League play-off final, has left by “mutual consent”.

A lengthy statement said: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that Robbie Savage has been appointed First Team Head Coach with immediate effect.

“As a result of achieving two promotions as well as reaching a play-off final and Isuzu FA Trophy semi-final within the Club’s first three years, it came as no surprise when Robbie was offered a senior role elsewhere recently.

“Robbie subsequently agonised over this on numerous levels as it would have meant him relinquishing his role at Macclesfield FC – in addition to his shareholding.

“This was something which the Board was not prepared to let happen and it was unanimously decided that Robbie should be given the chance to prove himself here at Macclesfield FC as he launches his coaching career with us.

“Ahead of a campaign where we simply cannot fail, Robbie will now be accountable for all First Team affairs and judged solely on results.

“To support him, Robbie has brought Peter Band back to the Club as Assistant Manager.

“Peter boasts over 1000 games worth of experience at these levels and this will be invaluable to us going forward.”

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And he will also call on the expertise of a former Leicester team-mate and England striker.

The statement added: “In addition, Emile Heskey has been given a position-specific role as and when required.

“A First Team Coach will be appointed in due course.

“Everyone at the Club would like to wish Robbie, Peter and Emile every success in their new roles with us.

“We would also like to reiterate our thanks to Michael Clegg in assembling what he himself has termed ‘a fantastic group’ within which he played a such a vital part.”

Macclesfield is a phoenix club of Macclesfield Town, who were relegated from the Football League in 2020 before they were eventually wound-up.

Savage joined its board in 2021 and they have achieved two promotions since.

He retired as a player in 2011 after a spell at Derby County.

Savage won 39 caps for Wales and made 346 Premier League appearances in total.

He was part of Manchester United’s famous class of ‘92 that lifted the FA Youth Cup but he enjoyed his biggest success at senior level with Leicester when winning the League Cup in 2000.

Now he has become the eighth permanent manager of Macclesfield in just four years since it was reborn.

Danny Whittaker and David McNabb were joint bosses at the start, then ex-Birmingham winger Neil Danns and Mark Duffy had spells at the helm.

Then Alex Bruce took over halfway through last season before Clegg was named manager in February.