Peterborough United have appointed Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage as their new manager.

The 51-year-old replaces Luke Williams at the Weston Homes Stadium after he was sacked on 19 September following a poor start to the League One season which has left Posh 23rd in the division.

Savage played as a midfielder for clubs including Derby County, Birmingham City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.

He guided Forest Green to seventh in the National League last season but they were beaten in the play-off eliminators.

This season they sit 13th after 11 matches, with four wins, three draws and four defeats.

Former Wales international Savage was appointed by Forest Green in July last year, having previously managed fellow non-league side Macclesfield.

He will take charge of Peterborough for the first time when they host Ipswich Town Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on 6 October, before Posh resume their league campaign with a trip to his former club Leicester on 10 October.

Savage, who has signed what Posh describe as a “long-term” contract, told the club’s website, external he had been attracted to “the size of the club, the philosophy, working with young players and making them better”.

He said: “I am really looking forward to getting out there on the training ground, but I am a manager – I will be there for every session, but I believe in trusting the coaches in delivering the messages and the session.

“I am not a manager who is going to want my teams to pass the ball around the back and chalk up 600 passes every game, we are going to go for it and attack and if we are 1-1 at home with five minutes to go, I want my teams to go for the winner.

“I understand there will be people out there with reservations. We all know the modern world has changed with social media. I understand it. I have been around for a long time. I will stand on that touchline and protect my players, it is a brilliant squad, I can’t wait to get going, it is going to be fun.”

Caretaker boss Ryan Harley will be Savage’s assistant.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony added: “Excitement is the word I can use to describe the appointment of Robbie Savage as our new manager. A word I personally haven’t used about our football club for too long.

“His personality, character and mindset is something we need top to bottom. Nobody will work harder to get us up and running again than Robbie. The board were blown away by him in an extensive interview and his hunger to fix our issues and get confidence back into our talented squad is what I am most excited by.”

Robbie Savage is an extremely surprising appointment for Peterborough United.

His managerial record to date is modest by League One standards and there are question marks over his ability to handle Darragh MacAnthony’s famously hands-on style of ownership.

And yet, following two years of stasis, perhaps a Robbie Savage-shaped curveball is exactly what the Posh need?

Savage inherits a side sitting second from bottom of the League One table.

They have scored only four goals in the league so far this season – and won only two of their past 23 league fixtures stretching back into last season. Key players have been sold and the summer replacements are yet to convince.

Savage will certainly need to hit the ground running. Job security has proved in short supply for recent Posh managers – with the notable exception of Darren Ferguson.

Luke Williams lasted nine months, Grant McCann the same. Steve Evans reached 10 months. Savage clearly has a huge task on his hands, but whatever happens – you get the feeling that it’s unlikely to be dull.