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ROBBIE SAVAGE choked up as he paid an emotional tribute to his father after guiding Macclesfield FC to promotion.The phoenix of club of Macclesfield Town beat Bamber Bridge 2-1 on Saturday to seal their place as Northern Premier League champions.Robbie Savage became emotional as he paid tribute to his late fatherCredit: X/ thesilkmenSavage’s Macclesfield FC are the Northern Premier League championsCredit: GettyIt means Savage’s men will be playing in the National League North next term.And his men have done it with six games still to go.Savage only took charge of Macclesfield last summer.The club itself was created just five years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut together, they have achieved something special after losing last season’s promotion play-off final.Speaking to the media, Savage became emotional as he reflected on his late father not being there to witness the feat.Colin Savage was diagnosed with dementia when he was 58 years old and sadly died aged 63 in 2012.His son became choked up as he paid tribute, while also revealing his mother was too unwell to watch Macclesfield’s celebrations in person.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut Savage was delighted to welcome his wife and children along for the festivities.And he also warned rival sides that Macclesfield are now aiming to win their final six matches while also reaching a ton of goals.Robbie Savage talks about his move into football management at Macclesfield Savage only joined Macclesfield last summerCredit: GettyHe has also fired a warning to rival teamsCredit: GettySavage said: “Winning the league with six games to go. Not only have we done it, we’ve smashed the winning barrier and I can’t thank my staff enough.“I wish my father was here to see it, it’s seeing people’s families here… my mum couldn’t be here as she was ill.“She said ‘I wish your dad was here to see you’. I’m quite emotional because the pressure has been extraordinary, to the point my sons were worried about me having a heart attack.“I’ve proved people wrong, |’m a fighter and believe in what I do, I just wish my mum and dad were here.“But the nicest thing was my two boys were here. They gave me a big kiss and hug, my wife too, that means so much.“People can say what they want about me but they cant take away that my group have won the league on the first attempt.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The group believed in me, now we focus on another three points and want 109 points and 100 goals, it doesn’t stop.“If the players don’t realise now what this club is, it’s one of the biggest clubs in non league.” More

STEVE BRUCE clapped back at Dwight Gayle with a cheeky jibe following the striker’s criticism of Bruce’s lack of tactics at Newcastle.Gayle, who played under Bruce for over two years, suggested this week that his old gaffer didn’t put enough focus on the tactical side of the game while at St James’ Park.Steve Bruce has hit back at comments made by Dwight Gayle about his managementCredit: XGayle claimed that Bruce once told Newcastle players ‘I don’t do tactics’Credit: Andy BarrGayle played 45 times under Steve Bruce at NewcastleCredit: PAThe former Magpies striker, who now plies his trade with Hibernian, sensationally claimed that Bruce had told his team, “I don’t do tactics”, during a 5-0 defeat to Man City in 2020.He told the Open Goal podcast: “I remember like some of the boys got chucked into the Man City shift, basically.”We had like a three-game week, and I think the gaffer sort of chucked a few of the boys under the bus in terms of who had to play against Man City away.”And me and Matty Ritchie were asking for tactical improvements for weeks or months or whatever.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”And then we come in at half-time, and I think we were 2-0 or 3-0 down, and he’s like, ‘Boys, you keep asking for tactics – I don’t do tactics! Just put your boots on and work hard’.”And now Bruce has hit back at the criticism, taking a swipe at Gayle’s finishing in another clash with Man City during the FA Cup quarter-final in the same season.Bruce told BBC Radio Lancashire: “Is that the legendary Dwight Gayle, who missed the chance in the quarter-final against Manchester City? Is that the same Dwight Gayle? Interesting.”I’ve been around the block a long, long time. I’ve only managed 1,050 games but according to Dwight, I don’t know what I’m doing.Most read in FootballSteve Bruce brought up a huge chance Dwight Gayle missed against Man City in 2020Credit: BBCGayle launched an effort over the bar from inside the six-yard boxCredit: BBCCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I’ll let other people make their minds up who are a bit more established than Dwight ever was.”Bruce had had an impressive career as a top manager, taking charge of over 475 Premier League games with five different top flight teams.’I don’t do tactics’ – Former Newcastle star claims he had conversation with Steve Bruce that left him ‘in shock’The retired Manchester United star took over at League One outfit Blackpool back in September.The Tangerines are currently 10th in division this season, having won 13, drawn 13 and lost six league games this term.Gayle had also lifted the lid on what it was like during training under Bruce, claiming that he “didn’t really do much” before Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian takeover.He explained: “He didn’t really do much on the training pitch. But then, obviously, when the Saudi owners came in, he stuck his boots on and the whistle and was like, ‘If I’m going, then I’m going to run you into the ground’, or something like that.”So, we’re doing some running drills and he’s just running us and he’s blowing his whistle and it’s just, like, making it into a little bit of a joke and stuff. He’s like, ‘They’re over there watching you’.”Adding: “[Training] was okay. I felt that he didn’t perhaps spend enough time on working on a lot of things with us.”I think he was trying to go game by game rather than perhaps develop us as a team. I just felt like we could have improved with a lot of things.”Bruce is now boss at Blackpool in League OneCredit: GettyDwight Gayle is playing for Scottish side HibernianCredit: Alamy More