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Crystal Palace has dismissed manager Pierre Sage following a difficult 16-game tenure that left the club at the bottom of the Premier League table. The decision follows a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, with the club now in advanced negotiations to appoint Thomas Frank as his successor.
Transition and Potential Successors
Thomas Frank, who has been without a club since leaving Brentford, is the primary candidate for the role. He previously held discussions with Palace during the summer and is reportedly interested in the position. The club aims to have a new manager in place before their upcoming match against Coventry next Saturday.
While Frank is the frontrunner, other names under consideration include former Nottingham Forest managers Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira. The club confirmed that Sage’s entire backroom staff will also be departing. In an official statement, Crystal Palace expressed gratitude to Sage and his team for their efforts and stated that further updates regarding the appointment process would follow.
Circumstances of the Departure
The decision to terminate Sage’s contract was reached on Sunday evening, though finalization was delayed by negotiations regarding compensation. A potential return to his former club, Lens, may simplify the financial settlement. Lens recently dismissed their manager, Yannick Cahuzac, and club president Joseph Oughourlian has reportedly maintained contact with Sage regarding a possible comeback.
Sage, who signed a three-year deal in June to replace Oliver Glasner, had previously led Lens to a Coupe de France title and Champions League qualification. Palace had paid over £4 million to secure his release from that contract earlier this year.
Performance and Internal Tensions
Palace’s recent form has been poor, with the team suffering five defeats in their last eight matches, including a 5-0 loss to rivals Brighton. They have lost four consecutive league games and currently sit at the bottom of the table with seven points from 10 matches. Additionally, the team has conceded 24 goals, the highest total in the division, while balancing their domestic campaign with Europa League commitments.
Reports indicate that tensions existed between Sage and the club’s board regarding recruitment. The manager was reportedly dissatisfied with the replacements brought in for central defenders Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix, who departed for Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively. The club instead brought in loan signings Axel Disasi and teenager Honest Ahanor, and failed to secure one of Sage’s primary targets, winger Malick Fofana.
Furthermore, Palace chair Steve Parish had expressed dissatisfaction with Sage’s management, specifically regarding the treatment of France Under-21 defender Jaydee Canvot and the substitution of Adam Wharton during a home defeat to Ipswich in September.
