Robbie Savage Turns Down Vancouver MLS Move

Derby County captain Robbie Savage has turned down a chance to move to MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps, the former Welsh international with mulling over a deal offered to him, but he also weighing up his options to continue his media career as a television pundit.

Robbie Savage contract runs out at the end of the season with Derby, has vowed to try and find and new club or continue his TV career in the UK.

"I'm going to stay here," he said on Twitter. "Canada was a great option but it was too big a move for my family."

Robbie Savage admitted he was tempted by the move, but uprooting his family and leaving a media career his has worked hard for proved difficult to do.

"They [Vancouver] are a new team in the MLS, they're moving to a new £300m stadium and they are very ambitious.

"The chance to be part of making soccer popular in America, alongside people like David Beckham and Thierry Henry, is obviously very tempting. But it is up to Derby now, and depending on what they say I will then talk to my family, and to the BBC and ESPN."

On Sunday, the Robbie Savage revealed on his Twitter account that he made his decision to stay in the UK

"So for the first time ever I will be out of contract in the summer," he said. "I'm going to have to be my own agent!"

"It was a massive call, but I've worked hard in the media to get where I am and took good advice off people. It's the right choice."

Do you agree or disagree that Robbie Savage has made the right decision?

Let us now in the comments section below.

Robbie Savage urges fans

Derby County captain Robbie Savage is reaching out to football fans in order help select the Alzheimer's Society as The Football League's official charity for next season.

The Rams star is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society, which has been short listed by the league, as his father suffers from a form of the illness.

Robbie Savage speaking from his own experience, after his father was dignosed said: "I've faced a lot of challenges on the pitch, but watching my father and my hero diagnosed with dementia has been the biggest challenge of my life. I've never felt so helpless.

"Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. That's why I want everyone to vote for the Alzheimer's Society."

Also on the short list are the British Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Care, Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, Help the Hospice and Samaritans.

The Football League's director of marketing and communications officer, Gavin Megaw said: "We are committed to supporting good causes, especially those demonstrating close community links around the league's 72 clubs.

"We are delighted to be providing fans with the opportunity to have their say in the selection of our official charity partner for 2011-12 and encourage them to cast their vote via our website."

To vote visit www.football-league.co.uk.

Voting is open until midday on December 8.

Twitter Brings Robbie Savage & Rio Ferdinand together

Rio & Robbie Twitter Fans

Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage have never been the best of friends and let's face it - they weren't afraid for anyone and everyone to know it.

However, Rio has revealed how Twitter has brought him together with rival Robbie Savage. Ferdinand and football's Mr Marmite have had numerous encounters with each other on the pitch, including a half-time bust-up during Blackburn's Carling Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in 2006.

Savage admits in his autobiography, that during that particular incident he kicked Rio in the tunnel (which sounds painful on any level). Ferdinand also got sent off three weeks later after a challenge on Savage.

Generally, the two were not getting along very well.  To say the least.

However, social networking comes along like a benign fairy godmother and sprinkles fairy dust on the pair of them.  Both players are huge fans of the social networking site that is Twitter and can regualrly be seen poking fun at each other and exchanging banter like the regular guys that they are..

“I actually hated him. I hated him as a person, I didn’t like him,” Rio told Football Focus and not in a flouncy, childish or immature way at all.

“I didn’t know him. As a football thing. I got sent off in a game. I thought he was acting and he made more of it and I thought I didn’t like him, he’s not my type of guy...and then Twitter brought us together.”

'After Rio comments on Football Focus, Robbie Savage tweeted, “It's official ! Rio loves me ! I love you to Rio xx.”

Of course, the path of true love never runs smooth and it is only a matter of time before the pair fall out of their double pram and in to the headlines again - for all the wrong reasons.

We would say we warned you when it happens, but it's not exactly rocket science, is it?

Savage Justification?

By Matt Scott 
The on-going debate, which surrounds footballers and their huge pay packets has managed to find its way back into the media spotlight after one of the UK’s most outspoken players, Robbie Savage, had his say on the matter.

The 36-year-old Welshman said, ‘We get hammered a lot, so I’m on there (twitter) giving a footballer’s viewpoint. The most common complaint is footballers earn too much. Nonsense. I defy anyone who gets offered it to say no, no matter what job you do.

"We’re lucky to earn good money and we work hard for it. It is not our fault that we were good enough to play football and get handsomely paid for it.

"I do work hard for it. The rewards are there if you do, so don’t tell me I haven’t worked hard for it. I would say every player I have played with has earned his money. Why is it always footballers who get criticised for the money they earn?

"A top darts player can earn £1m a year. A cricketer £1m for two months, a golfer £7.4m for one tournament, a rubbish boxer £3m for one fight, a sprinter £400,000 for an appearance, a tennis player £800,000 for one week. But it’s always footballers who get criticised."

The Derby County midfielder’s rant was a response to criticism from some supporters, who were venting their frustration over the news that John O’Shea had put pen to paper on a £80,000 a week contract extension at Manchester United.

Savage’s comments suggest he feels strongly that the revenue he generates for his club as well as the public scrutiny he has to face, more than entitle him and his fellow professionals to the rewards they receive.

It is often forgotten that the majority of sporting professionals have very short career spans, which can be ended in an instant if an injury occurs. It also has to be said that some bankers and online entrepreneurs earn similar amounts without working half as hard or entertaining the public.

Robbie Savage in calmer mood - Image Credit Flickr User Matlock-Photo