Crystal Palace could potentially sidestep a substantial financial settlement for manager Pierre Sage if he secures a swift return to his former club, Lens. Although the decision to dismiss the 47-year-old was finalized on Sunday evening following a 3-1 loss to Liverpool, his formal exit from Selhurst Park has yet to be officially confirmed.
The club’s recent 3-1 defeat marked their fourth consecutive Premier League loss, relegating them to the bottom of the table for the first time since 2017. While reports emerged on Monday suggesting Sage had been removed from his position, ongoing negotiations regarding his three-year contract remain active. A potential move back to France has gained momentum following the departure of Lens coach Yannick Cahuzac, who was dismissed Tuesday after a 9-1 Champions League defeat to Como and a subsequent 2-1 loss against Marseille. Cahuzac was promoted from his role as assistant to replace Dino Toppmöller when the German was sacked in mid-September after just four matches.
Lens president Joseph Oughourlian has maintained steady contact with Sage since the manager left for his “dream” Premier League opportunity in the summer. Having previously secured a French Cup title and a second-place finish in Ligue 1 under his guidance, Oughourlian is reportedly keen to bring Sage back to stabilize the team. Such a move would allow Palace to avoid further costs, having already paid over £4 million to secure his release from Lens before he replaced Oliver Glasner. After winning the French Cup and finishing as runners-up in Ligue 1 under Sage, Oughourlian is thought to favour re-appointing him in an attempt to get their season back on track.
Sage’s tenure at Palace struggled to gain traction, particularly after a 5-0 thrashing by rivals Brighton last month. Internal friction was reported, with some players questioning his training methods, though others offered messages of support. Pressure mounted further when fans displayed a banner labeling the squad a “disgrace” during the match against Marseille. Sage remained hopeful that he would be given more time to turn things around at Palace but there have been few signs of improvement since a 5-0 thrashing by arch-rivals Brighton last month.
Looking ahead, Thomas Frank has emerged as a primary candidate for the vacancy, having previously held talks with the club. Other potential successors being considered include Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira, while an inquiry for Eddie Howe was reportedly rebuffed. Palace continues to navigate the transition as they search for a new direction.
