Crystal Palace have dismissed manager Pierre Sage after a five-month tenure that left the club at the bottom of the Premier League table. The decision follows a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, which marked the team’s fourth consecutive league loss.
A Challenging Tenure
Sage, a 47-year-old Frenchman, was appointed in June on a three-year contract following the departure of Oliver Glasner. Despite his previous success leading Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a historic French Cup victory, he struggled to replicate that form at Selhurst Park. During his 16 games in charge across all competitions, Sage secured only five wins.
The club currently holds the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 24 goals. Their domestic struggles are compounded by their position in the Europa League, where they sit 21st in the 36-team table with only one win from four matches. Palace has not recorded a league victory since October 11, a drought that began with a 5-0 loss to rivals Brighton.
The club confirmed that three members of Sage’s coaching staff—Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa, and Sandy Guichard—have also departed. In an official statement, Crystal Palace thanked Sage and his staff for their efforts and wished them well, noting that an update regarding a new appointment would follow.
The Search for a Successor
Thomas Frank, the former Brentford and Tottenham manager, is currently in advanced talks to replace Sage. Palace officials view Frank as the ideal candidate to steer the club away from the relegation zone. Negotiations are reportedly in the final stages, with the club aiming to finalize a deal before players return from the international break.
While the club considered other candidates, including former Everton and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche and Toulouse boss Jens Berthel Askou, Frank remains the primary target. Frank has been out of work since his departure from Tottenham in February and reportedly declined job offers during the summer to wait for the right opportunity.
Sage’s exit marks the second managerial dismissal in the Premier League this season, following Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Michael Carrick last Thursday. Crystal Palace is scheduled to return to action on November 21 with an away match against Coventry.
