for 'I could have applied Championship jobs but I need to earn the right to manage'

By the time Robbie Savage's official matchday duties start, he has been at Moss Lane almost four hours.

- Sam Dalling

The Macclesfield FC manager is omnipresent on-site and spends the morning watching one of the 600-player strong academy sides.

As 1pm approaches Savage screws on his managerial head. The worst comes first. The centre-back Lewis Fensome is invited into an intimate office behind a small but smart dressing room. The space is compact, with just enough space for a desk and a pair of armchairs.

On the walls are a monthly planner charting the Northern Premier League's relentless schedule, Savage's fill-in-as-you-go results grid - 12 green wins, two blue draws to date - and a set of plaques charting his progress from Manchester United to Macclesfield.

They were gifted by his wife, Sarah.

The Guardian has been granted behind the scenes matchday access and sits in as Fensome is told he will not start. John McMahon, one of Savage's assistants, formerly of Tranmere and Morecambe among others, is also present. "Always do it with two people," McMahon says.

"Then there can be no dispute over what was said." Savage delivers the message gently and with reassurance - the call is purely tactical. "You've been brilliant," Savage says. "You're one of my first-choice centre-backs but I think we'll have all the possession today, so I'm putting another ball player in. If I'm wrong, I'll say that afterwards. You're definitely playing next Friday."

Once Fensome departs, Savage explains how the defender forced his way into first-team reckoning via under-21 displays. Those in need of minutes are always offered the chance to get them on a Sunday.

"It is their choice... but I always finish with 'but I know what the right option is'," Savage says with a grin. "I learned that trick from Mark Hughes at Wales!" By 1.35pm Savage is ticking a tad. A meeting to reveal the lineup should have started at 1.30pm but two players are tardy. "I was never late once in my career," he bristles.