Savage dismisses punditry criticism as Peterborough's winless run continues
Robbie Savage says his media commitments are not affecting his role as Peterborough United manager, calling the criticism a narrative created when results go badly.
Robbie Savage has rejected suggestions that his broadcasting work is interfering with his job as Peterborough United manager, describing the criticism as a narrative that emerges when a team is not winning. The Posh boss was appointed on 2 October and won his first two matches, but the club have since gone six games without a victory.
Before Saturday's 5-0 home FA Cup defeat by Reading, Savage had co-commentated on TNT coverage of AEK Athens against Real Madrid on Wednesday and Oxford City against Leicester City on Friday. He has also continued presenting BBC Radio 5 Live's 606, though he was absent from the post-match reaction show last weekend.
Savage insisted his commitment to the League One club is total, saying he is the first to arrive and last to leave. He argued that working on broadcasts keeps him learning about the game and that football fills his life, adding that he uses such opportunities to watch as many matches as possible, including local grassroots fixtures.
Results have dipped since a 3-1 win at Leicester City on 10 October, with Peterborough drawing two and losing two of their next four league games to sit 22nd in the table. They also exited the EFL Cup at the hands of fellow third-tier side Bradford City on 27 October.
Savage, a former midfielder with clubs including Derby County, Birmingham City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, took over from Luke Williams after previous managerial spells at Forest Green Rovers and Macclesfield. He said the solution is simply to start winning, acknowledging that defeats hurt him and hurt supporters most, and that the debate will fade once results improve.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
