Robbie Savage: Colourful character set to spice up Posh

Savage, 51, began his career in Manchester United’s youth set-up, alongside the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

He never made the grade at Old Trafford but worked his way back to the Premier League to play for Leicester City, where he became the midfielder opposition fans loved to hate.

In one infamous incident, he was fined two weeks’ wages after he used the toilet in the referee’s dressing room before a match. The incident became known as ‘Poogate’.

Acerbic midfielder turned manager Roy Keane described in his autobiography, The Second Half, how he once considered signing Savage for Sunderland.

“So I got Robbie’s mobile number and rang him,” he said.

“It went to his voicemail: ‘Hi, it’s Robbie, whazzup!’ like the Budweiser ad. I never called him back.”

But he carved out a top flight career, winning 39 international caps for Wales, before moving into management.

Even in retirement, he embraced his profile. His performances on Strictly drew audience complaints for “tasteless and vulgar” thrusting.

He donated his famous blond ponytail to the National Football Museum and became one-third of the panel on the BBC podcast Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy.

It was on that podcast that he told fans he paid for a professional blow-dry every day.

Savage leaves his job at National League club Forest Green Rovers to take over at League One side Posh.

He guided Forest Green to seventh in the table last season, but they were beaten in the play-off eliminators. He has previously managed Macclesfield FC but this will be his biggest job to date.

He replaces previous Posh boss Luke Williams, who was sacked on 19 September after a poor start to the season.