UPDATED: What the PT now knows about the search for the next Peterborough United manager

Forest Green Rovers manager Savage, a man known to have a friendly relationship with Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony, had been mentioned in despatches as soon as Luke Williams was sacked on September 19, but a modest managerial record in non-league football meant he wasn’t one of the favourites for the job.

Former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson – now an outsider – was the early favourite, followed by Matt Bloomfield and Michael Duff, all of whom have decent records in League One football.

But all that changed over the weekend and it started, as so many stories do these days, with a posting on X from a well-known journalist. The PT was one of a few media outlets who followed it up and this is what developed.

Saturday

1pm: While sitting in the press box at Stockport County, the PT is made aware of a tweet from TalkSPORT football expert Alex Crook saying: ‘Robbie Savage has emerged as a strong contender to become Peterborough United manager.’

1.30pm: The PT was then told TalkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham, a lifelong Posh fan, had been on the radio in the morning saying something very similar.

2pm: Savage is quizzed, rather forcefully, by a Forest Green Rovers media man about the report and was predictably vague insisting his focus was on Forest Green’s match at Sutton United that afternoon. He insisted he was unaware if Posh had made any contact with his current employers.

2.30pm: A quick scan of social media revealed almost universal disapproval of Savage being appointed. Forest Green fans seemed to be in favour though.

5pm: There were now claims Bloomfield had admitted an interest in the job on Sky Sports.

6.30pm: Travelling back after Posh had lost 1-0 at Stockport, and the PT sees a response from Darragh MacAnthony claiming his club had not yet spoken to any candidates and that an interview process would take place over the next three days. Multiple candidates were on a shortlist.

Sunday

2pm: Distinguished journalist Pete O’Rourke states Posh have narrowed their managerial search down to three candidates.

3pm: The club told the PT more than three candidates would be having interviews.

10pm: A source told the PT Savage was not a serious candidate and that Robinson was also not under consideration.

Monday

9am: The same source tells the PT now that Savage was due to have a Monday interview which set the cat amongst the pigeons. He also said Bloomfield remained keen on the job despite a more attractive job at Bradford City now becoming available.

2pm: Forest Green release a bombshell statement saying Savage would not be taking charge of their National League game on Tuesday night as he ‘was in talks with another club.’ Some, understandably, have taken this to mean a compensation package has been agreed between Posh and Forest Green and that it’s a done deal. It certainly seems Savage has burnt bridges with his current club if he ends up losing the Posh job to a better qualified candidate.

5pm: The PT publishes an interview BBC Radio Cambs held with regular pundit Gaby Zakuani, a Posh legend, who predicts a ‘car crash waiting to happen between Savage and MacAnthony’ if the appointment went ahead.

7pm: There was still plenty of foreboding from Posh fans over the possibility of Savage replacing Williams, although a handful of supporters who took to social media were now reacting positively. Words like ‘passion and excitement’ were bandied about freely as well as a claim that Savage is a supreme man manager with an ability to motivate and improve young players. Cambridge United fans seemed to be keen for Savage to come to London Road.

Tuesday

8am: Posh director of football Barry Fry tells the PT more managerial interviews were to be held today with a final decision expected by the end of the week,

5pm: Forest Green Rovers owner Dabe Vince states Savage has been offered the job and that compensation discussions had started.

5.30pm: Fry tells the PT the job has ‘not yet’ been offered to Savage, compensation was not being discussed and other candidates were still in the running.

Wednesday

8.30am: The PT asks Fry if any updates were expected today and if more interviews were scheduled. Fry says ‘yes’