Crystal Palace have dismissed manager Pierre Sage after just 16 games in charge following a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday that left the south London club bottom of the Premier League. The decision to relieve the Frenchman of his duties was made on Sunday evening, though his departure was delayed by negotiations over compensation. Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is currently in advanced discussions to take over, with Palace hopeful he can assume control ahead of Saturday’s match against Coventry City. Frank, who has been out of work since leaving Spurs in February, previously held talks with Palace during the summer and remains eager for a new managerial role.
Sage’s exit comes less than five months after he signed a three-year contract in mid-June to succeed Oliver Glasner. To secure his services, Palace paid over £4m to release him from his contract at French club Lens, and they have now agreed to pay out 18 months of his salary, which was estimated at roughly £4m per season. The total cost of hiring and firing Sage has exceeded £10m. Palace confirmed that his backroom staff will also leave, stating, “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in south London, and wish them well for the future. An update on the process of appointing a new manager will be provided in due course.” Alternative candidates under consideration by Palace figures include former Nottingham Forest managers Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira. It is understood Palace have agreed to pay him 18 months of a deal thought to have been worth about £4m a season.
Sage could swiftly return to management with Lens, who sacked Yannick Cahuzac on Tuesday. Lens owner and president Joseph Oughourlian has maintained close contact with Sage and held discussions regarding a potential reunion. During his previous tenure at Lens, Sage led the team to a Coupe de France victory and secured Champions League qualification.
Palace’s domestic campaign has faltered significantly, yielding just seven points from 10 league matches. Their only Premier League victories came against Fulham and Nottingham Forest, and the team currently holds the division’s worst defensive record, having conceded 24 goals. Sunday’s loss marked their fourth consecutive league defeat in an eight-match run that included five losses, featured a heavy 5-0 defeat to arch-rivals Brighton, and saw their only win come against Fulham in the Carabao Cup. Simultaneously, Palace have struggled in the Europa League, where they sit 21st in the 36-team standings.
Tensions between Sage and the Palace board had escalated over squad construction following the departure of key central defenders. Marc Guéhi joined Manchester City in January, while Maxence Lacroix moved to Chelsea in the summer. Palace brought in Axel Disasi and teenage defender Honest Ahanor on loan as replacements, but failed to secure winger Malick Fofana, who was one of Sage’s primary transfer targets. Sage was reportedly dissatisfied with the board’s inability to adequately replace Guéhi and Lacroix.
Friction also emerged between the manager and Palace chair Steve Parish over player selection. Parish expressed dissatisfaction after Sage omitted France Under-21 international centre-back Jaydee Canvot from the squad for September’s home loss to Ipswich Town. The club chairman also voiced displeasure when midfielder Adam Wharton was substituted during that same match.
