Forest Green owner announces legal action over Peterborough's Savage approach

Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince says the club has begun legal action against Peterborough United over the approach that led to Robbie Savage becoming their manager. BBC Sport reported that Vince announced the move in a social media video, alleging an improper approach for the Welshman, who left Forest Green earlier this month.

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Peterborough offered no comment on the legal action when contacted by BBC Sport. The League One club had already denied making an illegal approach, however, and chairman Darren MacAnthony previously defended the appointment process in a post on X. He maintained that Peterborough had complied with the rules. Vince's allegation therefore remains disputed by the club.

The disagreement centres on how contact with Savage was made before his appointment on 2 October. Vince has said he initially refused Peterborough permission to speak to the manager. In an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire 10 days after the appointment, he alleged that Peterborough then approached Savage directly and that he subsequently felt forced to agree to the move.

Savage's departure ended a spell at Forest Green that began in July 2025. He guided the club to the play-offs during his only complete season in charge, with defeat by Boreham Wood ending that campaign. When he left on 2 October, Forest Green were 13th after 11 matches, according to BBC Sport's account of his time at the club.

Before taking the Forest Green job, Savage had managed Macclesfield FC, the club established after Macclesfield Town was wound up in 2020. His spell there brought promotion from the seventh tier to National League North. Macclesfield scored 109 goals and collected 109 points during that successful campaign, providing the backdrop to his subsequent appointment at Forest Green.

Since moving to Peterborough, Savage has recorded two victories, two draws and two defeats across all competitions. The latest development concerns the circumstances of that move rather than a fresh managerial change: Vince says Forest Green have now started a legal process, while Peterborough's previously stated position is that their recruitment was conducted properly.