Next Forest Green Rovers Manager: Five Potential Candidates to Replace Robbie Savage
Forest Green Rovers have confirmed the departure of head coach Robbie Savage, who has taken over as permanent manager of League One strugglers Peterborough United.
Peterborough first approached Savage in late September, with Forest Green confirming on 28 September that he had been given permission to speak to Posh and offered the job.
His appointment was officially confirmed on 2 October on what the club described as a "long-term" contract.
Savage had been in charge at The New Lawn since July 2025, guiding Forest Green to 7th in the National League last season before they suffered a play-off eliminator defeat.
The Green Army currently sit 13th after 11 matches this term, with four wins, three draws and four defeats.
Goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould has shared caretaker duties with Yan Klukowski and Josh Bowen since Savage's departure became likely, taking charge for the 1-1 draw with Wealdstone, while chairman Dale Vince is expected to move quickly to appoint a permanent successor.
BetVictor have now opened a market on Savage's replacement, so we've picked out five names in the running for the New Lawn job.
Punters comparing the latest betting sites can also check out the latest free bets to make the most of the current offers.
Next Forest Green Rovers Manager Odds
Here's how BetVictor price the top contenders for the New Lawn job.
| Candidate | BetVictor Odds |
|---|---|
| Stuart Maynard | 2/1 |
| Luke Williams | 4/1 |
| Adam Hinshelwood | 4/1 |
| Rob Edwards | 8/1 |
| Darren Ferguson | 8/1 |
| Paul Hurst | 8/1 |
| Michael Duff | 8/1 |
Odds correct as of 2 October 2026 - courtesy of BetVictor.
Stuart Maynard
Stuart Maynard is the clear favourite, out of work since York City sacked him on 26 July - just three months after he guided the club back into the Football League with the National League title, a feat that saw him named National League Manager of the Season for 2025-26.
There's a neat subplot here: Maynard took the York job in August 2025 by replacing Adam Hinshelwood, who is also in this market at 4/1 having since returned to management elsewhere.
Luke Williams
Luke Williams is available again having been sacked by Peterborough on 19 September following a poor start to the League One season that left Posh second-bottom of the table - the very vacancy Savage has now filled.
He'd been appointed by Peterborough in October 2025 on a contract running to 2028, so the National League would represent a significant step down in level if he's tempted by The New Lawn.
Adam Hinshelwood
Adam Hinshelwood is the only candidate currently in work, having returned to Worthing as first-team manager in October 2025 and led the Rebels into the National League for the first time in their history this summer.
Before that, he spent 18 months at York City, leading them to a second-place National League finish before being replaced by today's favourite, Stuart Maynard, last August - any Forest Green move would need to prise him away from a Worthing side he's just taken up a level.
Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards has been out of work since Wolverhampton Wanderers sacked him in June following their relegation from the Premier League, despite his side winning their opening four games of the following season under him.
He's been linked with Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Southampton in the weeks since, and previously won promotion to the Premier League with Luton Town in 2023 - a Forest Green move at 8/1 would be a surprise given the level of interest he's attracting elsewhere in the EFL and Championship.
Michael Duff
Michael Duff was sacked by Wycombe Wanderers on 8 September after just five games of a winless start to the League One season, having only taken over in September 2025.
He previously won promotion to the Championship with Barnsley and also managed Huddersfield Town, but Duff is the odds on favourite for the vacant Bradford City job, so Forest Green may face competition for his signature if he fancies a return to the dugout.
For now, Jonathan Gould, Yan Klukowski and Josh Bowen remain in interim charge, with Forest Green's next game away to Scunthorpe United on Saturday 3 October, before a home game against Hartlepool United the following weekend.
This page will be updated if a frontrunner emerges or a permanent appointment is confirmed.
