Headline: Crystal Palace Part Ways with Manager Pierre Sage Amid Relegation Concerns
Crystal Palace has dismissed manager Pierre Sage after the club fell to the bottom of the Premier League table for the first time since December 2017. The French manager joined Selhurst Park on a three-year contract this summer, following a successful stint at Lens, where he secured a runner-up finish in Ligue 1, won the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions, and qualified for the Champions League.
However, Sage struggled to transition that success to Palace, overseeing 16 matches in all competitions. During his tenure, the team conceded the most goals of any Premier League side this season and garnered only seven points from a possible 30. As they approach the November international break, Palace find themselves two points adrift of safety.
A club statement released on Thursday confirmed Sage’s departure, expressing gratitude for his contributions, and 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.” The statement also indicated that an update on appointing a new manager will be released soon.
In the quest to avoid relegation, former Brentford and Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has surfaced as a potential candidate, alongside Sean Dyche, who is available after parting ways with Burnley.
Additionally, three of Sage’s coaching associates, Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa, and Sandy Guichard, have also left the club. Sage’s exit follows a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Selhurst Park, marking Palace’s fourth consecutive league loss and their seventh in the Premier League this season. In contrast, the team managed one win, two draws, and one defeat from four Europa League matches, while progressing to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they are set to face Sunderland next month.
Sage took over from Oliver Glasner, regarded as one of Crystal Palace’s most successful managers of recent times, who left the club after winning the FA Cup and Conference League to join Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.
