Robbie Savage: Colourful character set to spice up Posh

As famous for his blond locks and big personality as his football, Robbie Savage has long divided the football world.

From Premier League pitches to the Strictly dancefloor, he has never been one to shy away from the limelight.

So as he is appointed to his biggest managerial job yet at Peterborough United, could he be the colourful character needed to spice up Posh?

It comes at a time when other big names have helped drum up interest in some of football's less fashionable clubs - think Ryan Reynolds' ownership of Wrexham and Ed Sheeran taking a stake in Ipswich Town.

Savage, 51, began his career in Manchester United's youth set-up, alongside the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

He never made the grade at Old Trafford but worked his way back to the Premier League to play for Leicester City, where he became the midfielder opposition fans loved to hate.

In one infamous incident, he was fined two weeks' wages after he used the toilet in the referee's dressing room before a match. The incident became known as 'Poogate'.

Acerbic midfielder turned manager Roy Keane described in his autobiography, The Second Half, how he once considered signing Savage for Sunderland.

"So I got Robbie's mobile number and rang him," he said.

"It went to his voicemail: 'Hi, it's Robbie, whazzup!' like the Budweiser ad. I never called him back."

But he carved out a top flight career, winning 39 international caps for Wales, before moving into management.

Even in retirement, he embraced his profile. His performances on Strictly drew audience complaints for "tasteless and vulgar" thrusting.

He donated his famous blond ponytail to the National Football Museum and became one-third of the panel on the BBC podcast Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy.

It was on that podcast that he told fans he paid for a professional blow-dry every day.

Savage leaves his job at National League club Forest Green Rovers to take over at League One side Posh.

He guided Forest Green to seventh in the table last season, but they were beaten in the play-off eliminators. He has previously managed Macclesfield FC but this will be his biggest job to date.

He replaces previous Posh boss Luke Williams, who was sacked on 19 September after a poor start to the season.

When former England captain John Terry expressed interest in taking over League Two side Colchester United, before the takeover collapsed, there was a buzz about the city.

Victoria Polley, sports editor at BBC Essex, recalls fans gathering outside the club's ground to meet the former Chelsea defender.

"People get excited when there's some kind of high-profile link, because it creates wider interest in their club," she says.

"They think that person comes with better contacts, might encourage players, and it brings some outside media interest."

Some Posh fans will have been having similar thoughts when rumours of Savage's appointment started swirling earlier this week.

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer of the city's business improvement district, hopes that excitement will have a positive effect on the local economy.

"A name like [Savage's] is clearly going to help our city become even more established and on the map," he says.

"I'd rather have someone that's well known managing the club - as long as they know how to manage a football club and know what they're doing.

"We might get an influx of Welsh visitors to the city. If we get a busload of Welsh fans who support Robbie and follow his career, they can see what a great city it is to spend a few days in."

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire expects Savage to bring some extra fans to London Road and boost tourism initially, but warns it is likely to be short-lived.

He says the football teams which benefit most from celebrity involvement are ones that have the backing of a television series, such as Disney+'s Welcome to Wrexham.

"I don't think [Savage] by himself will make a difference," he says.

John Verrall, co-host of the UpThePoshcast fans' podcast, says he welcomes Savage joining Posh.

"I think that things got a bit stale under Luke Williams… Savage's enthusiasm and passion might just be the spark that we need," he adds.

But Adi Mowles, chairman of the Peterborough United Independent Supporters Association, is undecided until he sees Savage in action as a manager.

"You've got to admire his commitment and enthusiasm [as a player], and if he brings that to his managerial style, that will be a massive upgrade to what we've had for the last year," he says.

Robbie Savage is arguably the most high-profile manager Posh have ever appointed.

Back in 2007, Darren Ferguson brought name recognition, given his famous dad, but Savage's reputation extends beyond football.

During his playing career, which included successful spells at Leicester and Birmingham, he was known as a larger-than-life character, with a natural flair for winding up both opposing players and fans.

Since retiring, he has cultivated an extensive media career based on his outspoken opinions. Over the past 20 years, he has been a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live and TNT Sports, and he enjoyed a stint on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2011.

At Peterborough United, Savage will add to a cast of big characters which already include director of football Barry Fry and owner Darragh MacAnthony.

We will find out whether or not that is a dream team, or just a series of potential personality clashes, over the coming weeks and months.

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.