Sports · Football · 1 day ago
Dale Vince rejects Sam Allardyce’s criticism of Forest Green plan
Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince rejected Sam Allardyce’s criticism of the club’s plan to continue without a permanent manager.
Allardyce, a former England manager, said the approach would not work without a clear leader, and former England player Stewart Downing also stressed the need for direction.
Robbie Savage left Forest Green to manage Peterborough United, and the club is not actively seeking his replacement.
Instead, coaching trio Jonathan Gould, Josh Bowen and Yan Klukowski have been given responsibility while the club assesses its approach.
Vince said the plan does not mean the team will be leaderless and accused Allardyce of relying on speculation about his intentions.
The dispute is about how the team will be led, including who sets tactics and gives players instructions.
The club has not said when it will decide whether to appoint a permanent manager.
Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince rejected Sam Allardyce’s criticism of the club’s plan to operate without a permanent manager.
Vince said the club did not intend to be leaderless and accused Allardyce of relying on speculation.
Allardyce argued that the club would struggle without a clear leader, and Stewart Downing also questioned the approach.
Forest Green are not actively looking for a replacement for Robbie Savage, who left to manage Peterborough United.
Coaches Jonathan Gould, Josh Bowen and Yan Klukowski have been given responsibility while the club assesses the plan.
- Who
- Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince responded to former England manager Sam Allardyce’s criticism.
- What
- Vince rejected Allardyce’s doubts about Forest Green operating without a permanent manager. He said the club did not intend to be leaderless.
- When
- Vince’s response was reported on October 14, 2026. Allardyce’s criticism was reported the previous day.
- Where
- Forest Green Rovers, a club based in Gloucestershire.
- Why
- Allardyce said the club would struggle without a clear leader. Vince said Allardyce’s comments were based on speculation.
Dale Vince
Sam Allardyce and Stewart Downing
Leadership
Dale Vince
Vince said Forest Green did not intend to be leaderless.
Sam Allardyce and Stewart Downing
Allardyce said the club could not operate without a leader, and Downing said players need clear instructions.
The plan
Dale Vince
Vince defended the club’s approach and said Allardyce did not understand what he intended.
Sam Allardyce and Stewart Downing
Allardyce said he did not think the plan would work.
Forest Green decided not to immediately appoint a replacement and handed responsibility to coaching trio Jonathan Gould, Josh Bowen and Yan Klukowski.
The Sun reported on Forest Green’s plan to begin the season without a manager.
Stroud Times reported Vince’s response to Allardyce’s criticism.
- Club
- Forest Green Rovers
- Owner
- Dale Vince
- Former manager
- Robbie Savage
- Savage’s next club
- Peterborough United
- Coaching trio
- Jonathan Gould, Josh Bowen and Yan Klukowski
3 sources
What people are saying
Big Sam literally doesn’t know what he’s talking about, his comments are full of ‘it might be this’ and ‘it might be that’ – speculation.
Not without a leader,
it’s something he thinks he can try because he owns the football club and that’s what he’s entitled to do, but we don’t think it will work.
You need someone with a voice who’s leading it, instructing it, what to do with the team, the tactics, and whatever it may be,