Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is facing serious questions over his position after a run of four straight Premier League defeats, with the club now bottom of the table. The 3-1 home loss to Liverpool on Sunday intensified scrutiny, and internal discussions have taken place about whether to make a change and who might take over.
Poor Start Leaves Palace Adrift
Palace have managed only two wins from their opening 10 league fixtures, collecting seven points. Defensively they have struggled badly, conceding 24 goals — the worst record in the division. The team has not won in the league since 11 October, a sequence that began with a 5-0 defeat by Brighton, after which Sage spoke of feeling shame and admitted uncertainty about being given time to turn things around.
There has been some sympathy behind the scenes, with injuries disrupting Sage’s plans and the absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr — due to fitness and personal issues linked to both players’ wish to leave — complicating the early months of his tenure. However, the last three league matches have also ended in defeat, including the loss to Liverpool in which Palace hit the crossbar and had a goal disallowed.
Succession Planning Underway
Thomas Frank, the former Tottenham and Brentford manager, is seen as a strong candidate to take over, while ex-Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche also has some backing within the club. Both are currently out of work and could start immediately. If Sage is dismissed, he would become the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season.
Sage was appointed on a three-year contract in June following the departure of Oliver Glasner, who led the club to FA Cup and Europa Conference League glory before moving to Nottingham Forest. The Frenchman had previously guided Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and a first French Cup triumph in their 120-year history, but he has found replicating Glasner’s success difficult.
Speaking after the Liverpool defeat, Sage said the situation did not feel like a transition from dream to nightmare, adding that he was simply focusing on his job and searching for solutions. He acknowledged that results have not met expectations and that he must push harder, particularly in the team’s style of play.
Palace are also 21st in the Europa League, a position that currently offers a play-off spot, with just one win from four matches in that competition. Their next Premier League fixture is away at Coventry on 21 November, following the two-week international break.
