The itch that needed to be scratched
Savage gets his wish after Clegg’s shock exit, but at what cost?
The premise behind ‘scratching your own itch’ is simple. Find an issue you have internally at your current business and solve it. Following Macc’s decision to swap Michael Clegg for Robbie Savage in the managerial hotseat, we’ll discover whether Savage is part of the problem or the solution ahead of a pivotal season in the reformed Silkmen’s short history.
Clegg’s exit yesterday afternoon by ‘mutual consent’ was as sudden as it was shocking. Respected throughout non-league and popular amongst Macclesfield supporters, social media sentiment turned from disbelief to anger as rumours suggested Clegg’s departure by ‘mutual consent’ amounted to a negotiated sacking. Whatever the semantics and truth behind what has transpired behind the scenes, Clegg and his backroom staff (Nicky Hunt and Lewis Hardcastle) deserved better.
It was, after all, just four months on since they were handed the first-team reins at Macc due to previous manager Alex Bruce leaving to assume a coaching role at Salford. In a stuttering season which seemed on the verge of being derailed, Clegg galvanised an underperforming squad to lead Macc to second in the Northern Premier League and an FA Trophy semi-final.
Crucially, Macc fell at both hurdles, losing to Gateshead in the FA Trophy semi and more damagingly to Marine in the Northern Premier League play-off final. In the biggest games of Macc’s season the team failed to turn up, but criticism was directed at the players rather than at Clegg, at least publicly.
A different take on ‘stability’
In a Facebook live video to Silkmen supporters 24 hours on from the Marine heartache, Robbie Savage and Robert Smethurst stressed the need for ‘stability’ and to ‘go again’ to mount another promotion challenge next season. In their own words, a principal lesson to be learned included taking a more measured approach to recruitment by signing only a handful of necessary first-team additions to underpin the excellent foundations the ‘unbelievable’ Clegg had laid.
Six weeks later, have they taken a wrecking ball to their own strategy?
By relieving Clegg of his duties in the middle of the summer transfer window, are they at risk of unsettling the current harmony of the playing squad and alienating potential new signings? But more deeply than that, have they also tarnished the club’s reputation beyond repair in the short-term by making another managerial switch – the club’s seventh permanent first-team manager in four years – suggesting a cutthroat and chaotic pursuit towards achieving success at all costs, whoever become the casualties?
With some justification Macc’s hierarchy will argue ‘no’. They’ll highlight that Savage has been heavily involved in transfer negotiations alongside Clegg and instrumental in the impressive captures of new arrivals Justin Johnson, Elliott Whitehouse, Danny Whitehead and latest recruit Danny Elliott, collectively all standout performers at Step 2 and above, who will form a formidable promotion-chasing team.
The plan all along or no plan at all?
In a clumsily worded statement which appeared to be written in haste rather than care, Macc confirmed that Robbie Savage had been hired as First Team Head Coach with immediate effect hours after announcing Clegg had been ruthlessly sacrificed.
According to the statement, the shock appointment was triggered when: “Robbie was offered a senior role elsewhere recently….. as it would have meant him relinquishing his role at Macclesfield FC – in addition to his shareholding. This was something the Board was not prepared to let happen and it was unanimously decided that Robbie should be given the chance to prove himself here at Macclesfield FC as he launches his coaching career with us.”
Accompanying Savage will be Peter Band as Assistant Manager, who had left Macc only 18 days earlier to become joint-manager of Colne FC in the Northern Premier League Division One West. In addition Emile Heskey, Savage’s former teammate at Leicester and Birmingham, has been ‘given a position-specific role as and when required’, while a first-team coach will be appointed in ‘due course’, the club’s statement went on to say.
More questions than answers
As the dust settles, even those fans who are unequivocally prepared to get behind Savage and believe he is the right man to take Macclesfield forward will have questions to ease their anxieties. These will include, but are not limited to:
· Was Michael Clegg really cast aside to preserve Robbie Savage remaining at the club, or were their disagreements around recruitment, available transfer budget and overall control of first-team affairs?
· What ‘senior role’ was Savage offered elsewhere and at what level?
· Did Robbie Savage issue the club with an ultimatum that he would leave unless put in charge of the first team? What process and considerations did the Board undertake in reaching a unanimous decision to put Savage in charge and let Clegg go?
· Why wasn’t Savage given his opportunity to manage the first-team after Alex Bruce left, rather than hiring Michael Clegg and subsequently firing him?
· What is the duration of Savage’s contract as Macc’s First Team Head Coach? Are there any break clauses if a football league club approaches him?
· What level has Savage reached with his coaching qualifications?
· Has Savage relinquished all of his media responsibilities to focus on managing Macc?
· Will a new Director of Football be brought in to assume Robbie’s previous role?
· What impact, if any, will Clegg going and Savage taking over have on the club’s transfer dealings?
· When can we expect a new first-team coach to be hired and what qualities is Savage looking for to compliment him?
· What exactly constitutes Emile Heskey’s ‘position specific role as and when required’?
· Would the club concede that both the timing, and the manner in which this situation has been handled, leaves much to be desired?
Clegg vs Savage – perception vs reality
Understandably, there has been an outpouring of support for Michael Clegg. But putting sentiment aside, criticising Clegg’s dismissal does not mean it’s synonymous with Robbie Savage being doomed to fail. It’s worth remembering that Michael presided over only 16 games for Macc – overseeing 11 wins and 5 defeats (allbeit two playing makeshift sides when second place was already secured) – sadly he couldn’t quite get the team over the line by securing promotion to the National League North.
Undoubtedly, Clegg impressed many during his short stint at the club on the back of doing an outstanding job at Warrington Rylands before being tempted by the ambition of Macc. Personable, passionate and highly respected, ‘Cleggy’ had served his dues in a non-league career spanning over 500 matches (55% win ratio) and deserved to be given an opportunity to manage the Silkmen.
Clegg was a humble figure Macc supporters could relate to and instantly bond with as ‘one of them’. But for all of ‘Cleggy’s’ popularity, he has never managed above Step 3 despite some Macc supporters preparing to crown him as the non-league Pep Guardiola.
In contrast, the hostility and lack of respect shown towards Savage from a vocal minority of Macc supporters and football fans in general is appalling. Robbie’s marmite personality may divide opinion, but few can argue how much he cares for Macclesfield and how pivotal he has been in the club’s success, both on and off the field since it was reformed.
Savage’s detractors will argue that his inability not to undermine Macc’s previous managers were directly responsible for their departures, particularly citing the treatment of club legend Danny Whitaker as being disrespectful and unwarranted. Question marks also remain over the departure of Dave McNabb after only two months in post. However, a somewhat lazy narrative doesn’t account for Neil Danns and Alex Bruce leaving to join football league clubs, or the sacking of Mark Duffy following a disastrous spell. Was that Savage’s fault too?
The perfect marriage or an inevitable divorce?
Whatever side of the fence you sit on, this feels like a watershed moment for both Macc and Savage – a monumental gamble which comes, by the club’s own admission, ‘ahead of a campaign where we simply cannot fail, Robbie will now be accountable for all First Team affairs and judged solely on results’
One also wonders whether the tightly formed bond between Savage and Robert Smethurst will survive their heartwarming but, on occasion, topsy turvy tenure since their significant investments to restore Macc from the ashes. There’s no turning back now and something, both emotionally and financially, may have to give.
Rest assured, with an even bigger target on his back Savage will be acutely aware of the repercussions if he fails to lead Macc to automatic promotion as champions of the Northern Premier League.
And who is to say he can’t deliver ?
Be careful what you wish for
Some conveniently overlook that Robbie had a stellar playing career at top flight level for both club and country. Although not the most technically gifted, his tireless graft, propensity for battle and sheer determination saw him make the very best of his abilities – hallmarks which should serve him well as a manager and Macc’s squad as they aspire to return to the National League.
The contacts Savage has formed within the game, his influence and media profile, whilst often begrudgingly accepted by some, remain major positives and arguably remain Macc’s best hope to grow and attract a sustainable fanbase and team to one day compete back in the Football League.
It’s high time Savage scratched his managerial itch and put up or shut up, but in doing so he must also show grace and contrition if his ambitions prove a bridge too far . It’s also time for Macc’s fans to put their frustrations to one side and unite for the coming season, rather than willing Savage to fail. Ultimately, Macc’s success depends on it.