Thomas Frank Crystal Palace — Thomas Frank has emerged as a leading contender for the Crystal Palace manager’s position should the club part ways with Pierre Sage, with the south London side likely to make a change following a seventh Premier League defeat of the season. The former Brentford and Tottenham boss is among the names under consideration at Selhurst Park.
Palace Weighing Up Managerial Change
No final decision has been reached by the Palace hierarchy, but Sage’s position is under serious threat after a difficult start to his tenure. The Frenchman replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer and has overseen a run that has left the Eagles at the foot of the table.
Frank, who was already on Palace’s radar during the summer recruitment process, is expected to be at the front of the queue if the club opts for a new direction. The 52-year-old is available after his brief spell at Tottenham ended earlier this year.
Frank's Track Record
Frank built a strong reputation during seven years at Brentford between 2018 and 2025, guiding the Bees to promotion and then cementing their place in the top flight, including a ninth-place finish in 2023. That body of work made him one of the most admired coaches in the country before he moved to Spurs last season to succeed Ange Postecoglou.
His time at Tottenham, however, lasted less than eight months. He was dismissed with the club sitting 16th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone, and his tenure was marked by a series of setbacks both on and off the pitch. Spurs ultimately secured survival on the final day of the campaign after Igor Tudor and Roberto De Zerbi took charge following Frank’s exit.
Other Names in the Frame
Palace’s shortlist is not limited to Frank. The club is also believed to be interested in Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos and Tony Popovic, suggesting a broad search rather than a single-target pursuit.
The Eagles’ current predicament has intensified scrutiny on Sage. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, speaking after Palace’s 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool, argued that the performance offered some encouragement but that the risk of sticking with the current manager may be too great for the ownership.
Carragher suggested that Palace, an established Premier League club with 14 consecutive seasons in the division, should not be languishing at the bottom and predicted a change would be made before the next league fixture.
Sage Remains Defiant
Sage, for his part, defended his side’s efforts after the Liverpool loss, pointing to a strong start and a number of created chances that went unconverted. He acknowledged that efficiency in both boxes is the difference at the highest level and expressed frustration on behalf of the supporters and players.
Whether he gets the chance to address those issues remains uncertain. Palace must now decide whether to hand Frank a return to the Premier League or turn to one of the other candidates on their list.
