Robbie Savage has put his usual calls with son Charlie on hold ahead of an FA Cup tie he admits could feel “horrible.” The manager is preparing for the possibility of having to beat his own son’s team to stay in the competition.
The 52-year-old’s Peterborough United side host Reading in the first round on Saturday, November 7. Charlie, 23, plays in midfield for the visitors.
Speaking to The Sun, Robbie explained that he did not want to put Charlie in a position where he might accidentally reveal something about Reading’s preparations.
Charlie told BBC Radio Berkshire, in comments reported by the Peterborough Telegraph: “If I play I will try and enjoy the occasion and hopefully get one over my dad!”
The Cup Draw Surprised Both Savages During Separate Shopping Trips
The #EmiratesFACup first round proper will see newly appointed @theposh manager Robbie Savage face his son Charlie, who plays for @ReadingFC 😱 https://t.co/kwVIWZYD4E
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) October 19, 2026
Charlie was shopping at Marks & Spencer with his girlfriend when messages about the October 19 draw began arriving on his phone, according to the pair’s joint interview with Daily Mail Sport.
His father was looking for a ready meal in a Co-op when Charlie called. Robbie initially thought his son was going to mention Forest Green Rovers, the club he had recently left, before learning who had actually been drawn together. His response was: “Oh no.”
Robbie had joined Peterborough in October. The clubs were already scheduled to meet in League One in December, but the cup draw created an earlier encounter.
The match kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT at the Weston Homes Stadium, with Reading confirming live coverage on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.
Robbie Has Celebrated Charlie’s Milestones on Live Television
🏴 | Robbie Savage reacts as his son, Charlie Savage, nets his first senior goal ❤️ https://t.co/vNLWJFvIIc
— welshfootie (@welshfootie) March 11, 2023
Charlie scored his first senior goal on March 11, 2023, while on loan at Forest Green from Manchester United. His 12th-minute strike gave the team the lead against Bristol Rovers, although they eventually lost 3-1.
Robbie was working on BT Sport Score when the news reached the studio. He punched the air and celebrated, according to Stroud Times, exclaiming: “My boy has scored! Go on my boy!”
An earlier milestone had also unfolded while Robbie was broadcasting. On December 8, 2021, he was commentating for BT Sport when Charlie made his Manchester United debut against Young Boys in the Champions League.
As BBC Sport reported, fellow commentator Darren Fletcher invited Robbie to announce his son’s introduction. The 18-year-old replaced Juan Mata at Old Trafford.
Both father and son came through United’s youth system, but Robbie never made a competitive first-team appearance for the club.
Charlie’s Experiences Have Changed How Robbie Treats Young Players
Charlie left United for Reading in July 2023, moving away from his family to pursue regular senior football. Robbie has described the isolation his son experienced while living alone and struggling for selection under then-manager Ruben Selles.
At his November 5 press conference, reported by the Peterborough Telegraph, Robbie said those experiences had made him more conscious of the pressures facing young players. He now considers how he would want a manager to treat Charlie when deciding how to respond to mistakes within his own squad.
Robbie has also praised his son’s attitude during a season in which he has yet to start a League One match, despite starting cup games. He said Charlie had avoided the sulking that sometimes characterized his own reaction to being left out as a player.
Robbie said Charlie’s mother, brother and other relatives would attend the tie. Afterward, he would have a different responsibility toward his son: “I will be consoling him or congratulating him.”