ROBBIE SAVAGE has snubbed a highly-lucrative TV show offer to remain in an unpaid role as manager of Macclesfield FC.
The Cheshire-based phoenix club are working their way through the non-league pyramid and currently sit top of the English seventh tier.
Silk Town are 13 points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League – the third tier of non-league football.
But despite the boom that comes with being the ONLY UNBEATEN side left in the top seven tiers, Macclesfield were at risk of losing former Premier League star Savage.
After five months in the job, Savage, 50, was asked to step away from Macclesfield and take up a high-paying, but undisclosed, TV job offer.
But the former Prem star turned it down and vowed to finish what he started with Macclesfield after a heart-to-heart with his players.
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He told The Telegraph: “I’ve sold the dream to players coming here.
“I’ve got a kid from Blackburn, James Edmondson, who is magnificent. His family have put their trust in me.
“If I was then to leave for self-gain or self-promotion I’m not that person they trust. I’m letting them down. I simply couldn’t turn my back on the club.”
Nevertheless, he asked the players in the WhatsApp group chat for their opinion and the answer was a resounding “no”.
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“I am genuine. I am meticulous, serious, obsessive. You have to be.
“I want the narrative to change – this pantomime villain, this guy. Some people still see me as that.”
Savage joined as director of football in October 2020 but was named manager in June.
Despite not formally earning a wage for his role as team boss, Savage earns a few bucks as a shareholder and board member.
Last month, he exclusively revealed to The Sun, that he wished he’d gone into management earlier.
At the time of his appointment the club website wrote: “This is a campaign we simply cannot fail.”
The former Leicester and Birmingham midfielder added: “It’s true. It means we have to be promoted because anything else is a failure.
“I will hand in my resignation, 100 per cent, if we don’t because we have the best team.”
Help from old team-mate
Savage has suffered only one defeat since making his managerial baptism – in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round at Tamworth.
He previously launched a successful media career and has done 15 years as a host on BBC Five Live’s popular 606 phone-in show.
Meanwhile, he also offers co-commentary and pundit duties on European nights on TNT Sports.
Savage is assisted by Peter Band while his former Leicester teammate Emile Heskey was appointed in a “position-specific role as and when required”.
Savage’s appointment saw Michael Clegg, who was appointed as manager in February, leave the club.
Macclesfield’s website lists Savage as the third-largest shareholder with 18.7 per cent.
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The new club was born in 2020 after Macclesfield Town was wound up in the High Court over debts totalling more than £500,000.
The 146-year-old National League club was forced into liquidation during a hearing at the Insolvency and Companies Court.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
