Crystal Palace Parts Ways with Coach Pierre Sage Following Disappointing Start
Crystal Palace's Coaching Change
London [UK], November 12: Crystal Palace has decided to terminate the contract of head coach Pierre Sage after a mere 16 matches at the helm. This decision follows a lackluster beginning to the Premier League season, which has left the team at the bottom of the league table. Sage, who took over in June on a three-year deal, managed to secure only two wins in 10 league games, with the team struggling to find consistency and defensive solidity.
The club's announcement came after a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Liverpool on Sunday, marking a continuation of their struggles under Sage's leadership. Alongside Sage, three of his coaching staff members—Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa, and Sandy Guichard—have also departed. Crystal Palace stated that they would provide updates regarding the search for a new manager in due course.
This season has been particularly challenging for Palace, especially defensively, as they have conceded 24 goals, the highest in the league. Sage's exit represents another hurdle for the club, which previously experienced success under Oliver Glasner, who led them to titles in the FA Cup, UEFA Conference League, and Community Shield. However, the summer transfer window saw the departure of key players like Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz, and Palace was the least active in terms of spending among Premier League clubs.
Reports indicate that Thomas Frank, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, is the frontrunner to succeed Sage at Selhurst Park. Frank has been without a club since his dismissal from Tottenham in February. He was previously a candidate for the Palace job during the summer before Sage's appointment. The 52-year-old had a successful tenure at Brentford from 2018 to 2025, leading them to the Premier League and achieving a ninth-place finish in the 2023 season. His time at Tottenham was short-lived, as he was let go after less than eight months with the team struggling in 16th place.
Crystal Palace has also explored other potential candidates, including Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos, and Tony Popovic, with Jens Berthel Askou and Ole Werner also mentioned. The new manager will face the urgent task of improving the team's performance and addressing defensive issues as they aim to escape the relegation zone.