Like him or loathe him, one would have to respect Robbie Savage for what he has achieved both inside and outside the game. He has played at the highest level of club football for more than 10 years, played 39 times for his country, and unlike many of his counterparts, has his “life after playing” already sorted. Already a presenter on Radio 5 Live on Saturdays, he has gained quite a following on Twitter with his often brash and controversial comments, his analysis following a similar theme to his playing style.
Often regarded as ordinary, Savage held his own in the famous United youth team of 1992, and began his career as a striker. Without playing a game for the senior team he played for Crewe and came to prominence at Leicester. He formed an effective partnership with Muzzy Izzet, and Leicester not only consolidated in the league, as well as achieving cup success. Savage gained a reputation as a diver, and Derby fans ironically were some of his biggest critics, falling in the box during the last minute of a match against County. The converted penalty gave Leicester the three points. In the 1999 League Cup final against Spurs, after making a rash tackle on Justin Edinburgh, the defender reacted and raised his hands, Savage reacted theatrically and Edinburgh was dismissed. Rash tackles were part of the course, and only Lee Bowyer has more yellow cards in league history, though he has only actually been red carded twice in his career. He was fined £10,000 by the FA for using the referee’s toilet before a game, claiming it was an “emergency” as he had an upset stomach, with Leicester also fining him two weeks wages. His Welsh career finished under a cloud after falling out of favour with John Toshack, but not before serving his country well in every game.
Despite his reputation, Savage has always been an integral part of every team he has been in. The teams involved may not have been challenging for the league, and probably only supporters of the clubs involved appreciated the part he played. After 3 years at Birmingham, he left for Blackburn in 2005, which had Brum supporters in a tizzy for 2 reasons. Firstly, he left a defensive gap in midfield, which contributed to their relegation, but also because his reasoning allegedly to move closer to his parents in Wrexham, despite the fact the Midlands was actually closer to home!
After Blackburn, he finished his career at Derby, but cleverly began to look at his career after playing. Savage became one of the first footballers to embrace Twitter, and continues to be one of the most public users of the social media. With a following of well in excess of a quarter of a million, it shows that people are interested in his no-holds barred opinions. He is now a co-presenter on Radio 5 Live, and just this month, was recognised as the best newcomer on the airwaves, where his insight, but ability to challenge listeners opinions has found popularity on the station.
Undoubtedly Savage is probably one of the most disliked footballers to grace the games, has in the past conceded that some of the trouble he has brought on himself. Rumours that Busquets bases his theatrical falling on the Welshman are still unconfirmed! Despite not being blessed with the most natural ability, he certainly maximised what he had, and spotted his media opportunities quickly. And with most players, managers and pundits offering repetitive, generic and mundane analysis, no one could accuse Savage of the same crime.
