Robbie Savage's wife, net worth and career from Man United to Strictly broken nose

Ex-Leicester and Derby star Robbie Savage has worked in the media scene over the last 15 years before and after retiring from professional football

Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage is set to be on TNT Sport's commentary team for Manchester United's trip to Porto.

The 49-year-old amassed over 600 appearances during his 20-year career, starting off in the United academy before playing for the likes of Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County. He also represented Wales at international level and was capped 39 times, scoring twice.

As a player, Savage earned the reputation as a hardman on the football pitch and was once labelled the "dirtiest player in the Premier League". For a while, Savage held the dubious distinction of being awarded the most yellow cards of any player in Premier League history with 89.

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TV pundit after retirement

After retiring from professional football in 2011, Savage attempted to become a prominent figure in broadcasting. He had occasionally acted as a pundit while playing but wanted to forge a career in that field.

Savage worked with ESPN as a pundit between 2009 and 2013 before moving to TNT. Alongside that, he was a broadcaster for the BBC and joined the presenting team for their Radio 5 Live's 606 show.

In October 2012, Savage, as well as 463 other players, took part in 5 Live's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the 'most players in a continuous 5 a side exhibition match'. This was for BBC Children in Need along with comedian Lloyd Langford and travel reporter Lindsey Chapman.

Strictly Come Dancing

Less than six months since hanging up his boots, Savage took part in Strictly Come Dancing. The Wrexham-born former midfielder, who was partnered by Ola Jordan, reached the quarter-final and finished sixth after recovering from breaking his nose when performing the cha-cha-cha on week five.

Savage has also published two biographies. The first Savage!, written with Janine Self, was issued in 2011, before the second I'll Tell You What... went live in 2015. Savage has become a keen writer since retiring, having been a regular football columnist for the Daily Mirror over the last decade.

Net worth

Two years ago, 888 Sport reported, "according to online sources", financial experts estimate Savage's net worth is around £4million.

Wife and personal life

He married wife Sarah in 2002 and have two sons. One of them, Charlie, came through the ranks at United and made his first-team debut in the Champions League against Young Boys in December 2021 - a game in which Robbie co-commentated. Charlie, 21, is now a midfielder for League One club Reading.

In 2018, Savage opened up how he and Sarah met while on a night out in Chester. They had been introduced by former Liverpool footballer Danny Murphy. At the time, Savage was playing for Crewe.

Savage said: "I met my wife 20-to-21 years ago. I was at Crewe and I was coming up to the end of my contract at Crewe. I started going out with my wife in the November; my contract was up in the June. I was on £200 a week at Crewe. So I chased her and I chased her and anyway I got to go out with her in the January. So in the February, my first Valentine’s Day with my wife, there was an opportunity for me.

"I was either going to go to Leicester, Crystal Palace or Malmö in Sweden. I thought, right, I've got to try and make sure - cement the relationship - because I was starting to go out with her, but not 100 per cent."

Macclesfield FC role

Four years ago, Savage became the director of football at phoenix club Macclesfield FC. Starting in the ninth-tier of English football, Savage helped the Silkmen secure back-to-back promotions in the blink of an eye. However, that run was stopped back in May as they lost in the Northern Premier League play-off final.

After that disappointment, Savage decided to appoint himself as manager of Macclesfield. That sent shockwaves around the non-league footballing scene, but it's an appointment which has worked thus far, with the Cheshire-based outfit top of the league and unbeaten in all competitions.

Although his primary focus is on Macclesfield right now, Savage is still working as a pundit for TNT and as a presenter for the BBC. He has been called up for TNT coverage for United against Porto on Thursday, with the ex-Wales midfielder alongside Adam Summerton in the commentary box.