- Crystal Palace eyeing Pierre Sage
- Lens boss could succeed Oliver Glasner
- The French coach is ideal for the Eagles
Crystal Palace look to have made Pierre Sage their top candidate to succeed Oliver Glasner. The Eagles are searching for a replacement heading into the summer transfer window.
Reports claim that Palace are ‘exploring a move’ for Sage who is currently in charge of French outfit Lens. They have turned their attention to the Frenchman amid Andoni Iraola likely replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool.
Sage is highly admired around Europe for his two impressive spells at Lyon and now Lens. This season, he has guided the latter club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1.
Who is Sage?
Sage is a highly-regarded French tactician who has worked wonders at Lyon and Lens. His first managerial reign came with French minnows Chambéry Savoie Football in February 2013.
After spells in various roles elsewhere, the Lons-le-Saunier-born coach then arrived at Lyon as youth coach in July 2019. He then became Habib Beye’s assistant at Red Star FC before returning to Groupama Stadium to become academy manager.
Lyon took a chance on Sage in November 2023, promoting him as interim manager after sacking Fabio Grosso. He exceeded expectations, dragging the club out of relegation and into European qualification, securing the job permanently.
Over 56 games, he oversaw 33 wins and 19 defeats while Les Gones struggled with financial issues. He miraculously took the club from rock-bottom to a sixth-placed finish, qualifying for the Europa League and reaching the Coupe de France final.
John Textor decided to sack Sage after a poor run of results in January 2025. He headed to Lens where he has truly put his name up in lights this season.
Sage won the Ligue 1 Manager of the Season award after securing a second-placed finish in the French league. His side beat Nice 3-1 in the Coupe de France final last Friday and former Palace striker Odsonne Edouard bagged a brace.
Why Palace want Sage
Sage’s body of work speaks for itself and Textor’s decision to sack him means nothing given the American businessman’s poor handling of football clubs. He is a modern coach who can build on Glasner’s success and potentially take the Eagles to the next level.
Steve Parish and the board may feel Sage is more attainable than some of the names linked. That even includes Frank Lampard, given Coventry City have just earned promotion to the Premier League.
The only concern might be a lack of coaching experience in England but that was a risk the club took when appointing Glasner. He has all the tools to be a success at Selhurst Park.
