Robbie Savage has spoken out after guiding Macclesfield FC to a record-breaking title success in the Northern Premier League. A 2-1 win over Bamber Bridge on Saturday secured his side’s promotion with six games left of the season.
With Savage as manager Macclesfield FC, the phoenix club of liquidated outfit Macclesfield Town, have won 29 of their 36 games so far this season – scoring 88 goals and conceding just 26.
Speaking after the victory, Savage revealed that he was overcome with emotion and will now already start planning for next season in the National League North – making it clear that he intends to remain with the Silkmen despite interest from clubs higher up the footballing pyramid.
The TNT Sports pundit said: “I’m overwhelmed by emotion. It’s the players who deserve every bit of credit. We know how much was on the game. I read out messages from fans in the team talk, there was no need for tactics or motivational speeches. I put on Facebook for fans, ‘what does it mean to them’, and I read them out to the group before the game, three or four of them.”
“The negativity, the narrative (that) it’s all about me, let people talk all they want. I put my money where my mouth is, I’ve proved everybody wrong. There’ll be people now who might say ‘Do you know what, fair play, well done’, but if they don’t then I’m not really bothered.”
Savage then spoke of how he was pleased his family were in attendance to watch the victory, with his two sons congratulating him after the full-time whistle sounded. However, the ex-Wales international shed a tear when speaking about how his late father would have enjoyed the day.
A choked-up Savage said: “I wish my father would have been here to see it. My mum said to me this morning, she can’t be here, she was ill all night with nerves, she said ‘I wish your dad was here to see you’ which would have been nice but listen, I’m quite emotional because the pressure this season has been absolutely extraordinary.
“Some pressure I thought I would never be under, to the point that my sons are worried to death about me having a heart attack. But that emotion is coming out now, once again, I’ve proved people wrong.”
