Luke Williams Leads Forest Green Manager Search After Savage Exit

Forest Green Rovers are considering Luke Williams as their next manager after Robbie Savage left the National League club to join Peterborough United, with the former Swansea City and Notts County boss emerging as a leading candidate following his record of possession-focused football.

According to Stroud Times, Williams became the leading contender after his departure from Peterborough United last month, where he had been appointed in the summer before his spell ended after less than 11 months.

Forest Green are currently managed on an interim basis by Jonathan Gould, Yan Klukowski and Josh Bowen while the club searches for Savage's permanent replacement. The club is scheduled to host Hartlepool United at The New Lawn on Saturday.

Williams began his managerial career at Swindon Town in 2015 and later guided Notts County back into the English Football League. Football Lowdown reported that he collected 48 wins in 80 matches at Notts County and averaged 1.98 points per game during his National League tenure.

The same report stated that Williams helped Notts County achieve a club-record 107-point season in 2022-23 before promotion through the play-offs. He later gained experience in the EFL with Swansea City and Peterborough United.

Yahoo News reported that Williams is regarded as one of English football's progressive coaches because of his attacking style and previous work developing possession-based teams. He joined Swansea City in January 2024 after previously working under Russell Martin.

Forest Green's managerial vacancy follows Savage's move to Peterborough United, according to Stroud Times. Savage had taken charge after a successful spell with Macclesfield but departed with the club seeking a new direction.

Football Lowdown reported that Forest Green had struggled compared with previous campaigns, sitting 16th after winning four of their opening 11 league matches. The club had also missed out on promotion in recent seasons under different managers.

Other candidates discussed by Football Lowdown included George Elokobi, Adam Hinshelwood and Kevin Maher. Elokobi previously managed Maidstone United, Hinshelwood had success with York City and Worthing, while Maher had a strong spell at Southend United before joining AFC Wimbledon as assistant manager.