Robbie Savage's Macclesfield Departure Clarified as Club Faces Brentford in FA Cup
All the essential details regarding Robbie Savage's connections to Macclesfield FC and the reasons behind his exit from the club have been revealed. This comes as the Silkmen gear up for a monumental FA Cup fourth-round encounter against Brentford on Monday, February 16.
Founding and Initial Role at Macclesfield
In October 2020, Robbie Savage teamed up with businessman Rob Smethurst to establish Macclesfield FC, resurrecting the club from the remnants of Macclesfield Town. Savage played a pivotal role in constructing the club's infrastructure from the ground up. This included overseeing the renovation of the Leasing.com Stadium and assembling a brand-new squad from scratch.
Initially, Savage served as a board member and was appointed director of football. In this capacity, he managed the club's football operations and recruitment strategies. His primary objective was to bridge the gap between the supporters and the new board while securing Macclesfield's position within the English football pyramid.
Appointment as Manager and Record-Breaking Success
In a bold move in June 2024, Savage appointed himself as manager following the departure of Michael Clegg. This marked the former Premier League midfielder's first managerial position in his career.
During the 2024/25 season, Savage achieved remarkable success by leading Macclesfield to a historic promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division. His team set an all-time points record with 109 points and scored 109 goals, clinching the league title by an impressive 26-point margin.
Reasons for Exit and Continued Involvement
Robbie Savage officially stepped down from his managerial role at Macclesfield on July 1, 2025, to accept the vacant manager position at Forest Green Rovers. He explained that the opportunity to manage at a higher level in the National League presented a challenge he could not refuse.
Despite leaving his day-to-day coaching duties, Savage remains a part-owner of Macclesfield FC. Upon his appointment at Forest Green, he expressed his intention to sell his shares in Macclesfield to prevent potential conflicts of interest and to concentrate fully on his managerial career.
Macclesfield's Successor and FA Cup Giant Killing
Following Savage's departure, Macclesfield appointed John Rooney, the younger brother of Wayne Rooney, as the new head coach. Rooney, who had previously been a star player for the Silkmen, took charge to lead the team into the National League North.
Macclesfield FC secured their place in the FA Cup fourth round after achieving a stunning 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the previous round. This result is widely regarded as one of the biggest shocks in the history of the tournament.
Fourth-Round Match Details and Viewing Information
Macclesfield FC will face Brentford on Monday, February 16 at The Leasing.com Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 PM. Fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage commencing at 6:30 PM. A monthly subscription to TNT Sports also includes access to select Champions League, Europa League, and Premier League fixtures.
