Robbie Savage set for shock new job after sudden departure confirmed

Former Wales international Robbie Savage is set to become the new Macclesfield manager.

It is understood that the 49-year-old, who has been the Silkmen’s Director of Football since 2020, will step into the role of manager after Michael Clegg's sudden departure by mutual consent.

Clegg was appointed in February after Alex Bruce’s move to Salford City as Karl Robinson’s assistant manager. Macclesfield moved to appoint the 40-year-old as his successor, prising him from their Northern Premier League rivals Warrington Rylands.

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Manchester United trainee Savage will undertake his first-ever managerial role 13 years after retiring from professional football. It is understood that Sammy McIlroy will be apart of the Welshman’s backroom staff - with Peter Band as assistant manager.

In a 55-word statement on Monday, Macclesfield confirmed that they had parted ways with Clegg with immediate effect.

"Macclesfield FC can confirm that Michael Clegg has left his role as First Team Manager by mutual consent this afternoon," the statement began.

"We would like to thank Michael for all his efforts whilst at the Club and wish him well in the future. A further statement will be issued regarding our First Team management in due course."

Under Clegg, Rylands defied expectations and sat second in the table for the majority of his full campaign in charge before moving to Moss Rose. In the 16 matches in charge of the Silkmen, he won 11 and lost five, including the Northern Premier League playoff final in a 2-1 defeat at home to Marine.

Macclesfield have already been busy this summer signing a number of high-quality players from higher leagues - including Justin Johnson from Chorley and Elliott Whitehouse, formerly of Chester.

Since the birth of the phoenix club, Macclesfield won back-to-back promotions from the North West Counties Premier Division and the Northern Premier League West. They will be looking to earn promotion to the National League North and to within two promotions of the Football League next season with Savage in charge.

During that time, Macclesfield have had six permanent managers, two of which, Danny Whitaker and Mark Duffy, were sacked, the former United youth product's appointment will be the seventh since their rebirth in 2020. The latest search is their sixth in the last 18 months after Whitaker's sacking in October 2022.