How Charlie Savage Helped Shape Mark Bowen’s Return to Football
In a surprising twist of fate, it was a conversation with a young Reading FC midfielder — and his famous father — that helped former Royals chief Mark Bowen step back into football with a new mission.
Speaking candidly in his first broadcast interview since being appointed Director of Football at Forest Green Rovers, Bowen opened up about the influential role Charlie Savage and his father, Robbie Savage, played in shaping his decision. After a turbulent four-year stint at Reading during a highly unstable period — complete with pandemic pressures, ownership changes, and even an FA charge — Bowen had stepped away from the game entirely in late 2024. So, when Forest Green came knocking, he knew it had to feel right.
Also Read:- A Slice of History: Electric Dough Pizza Co. Revives San Marco Theatre
- SpaceX Starship Test Ends in Massive Fireball Over Texas
“I took Charlie Savage into Reading and I’ve known his dad, Rob, for years — I brought him to Birmingham City and Blackburn back in the day,” Bowen shared on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. “When the Forest Green opportunity arose, my first calls were to them. Robbie told me about his impressions from when Charlie was on loan there in the 2022/23 season, and everything they said was overwhelmingly positive.”
Their feedback wasn’t just polite support — it gave Bowen the confidence to step back into the game after years of emotional and professional strain. “Nobody I spoke to had a bad word to say about the club,” he said. “That meant a lot after what I went through at Reading. I needed to know I was stepping into a place with stability, ambition, and a clear direction.”
Now installed at The New Lawn, Bowen is taking on a broad remit similar to his old role at Reading — overseeing recruitment, medical, academy and data operations. He emphasized the importance of building something sustainable, saying, “If in five or ten years I can look back and say this club is better off than when I arrived, I’ll have done my job.”
Bowen is also relishing the chance to work alongside manager Steve Cotterill, noting the importance of a collaborative and ambitious relationship. And as Forest Green sets its sights on promotion, Bowen is clear about his goals: “We came close last season. Now we’re here to make that final push.”
What started as a friendly chat between old footballing friends and a rising star at Reading has now helped open a new chapter — for both Bowen and Forest Green.
Read More:
0 Comments