Crystal Palace Poised to Sack Pierre Sage
Crystal Palace are poised to dismiss manager Pierre Sage following a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The loss left the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Sunday’s result represents the team’s seventh league defeat of the campaign, according to Sky Sports. The Guardian reported that the reverse dropped Palace to the foot of the standings for the first time since December 2017.
Thomas Frank has emerged as a leading candidate to take over as manager if Crystal Palace decide to sack Pierre Sage 🚨 No decision has been taken yet, but the Frenchman is likely to lose his position following a seventh league defeat of the season. pic.twitter.com/RTxM1qT0mL
Thomas Frank Emerges as Leading Candidate
Thomas Frank has emerged as the main candidate to succeed Sage in south London. The former Brentford and Tottenham boss was previously considered by the Palace hierarchy during the summer, Sky Sports reported.
Frank spent seven years at Brentford between 2018 and 2025, guiding the club into the Premier League and securing a ninth-place finish in 2023. He subsequently took over at Tottenham last season following the departure of Ange Postecoglou, but was dismissed after less than eight months with the club sitting 16th in the table.
Crystal Palace expected to sack Pierre Sage with the club bottom of the Premier League table heading into the international break.🦅 pic.twitter.com/INbiAB7iCQ
Alongside Frank, the club’s shortlist of managerial alternatives includes Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos, and Tony Popovic, according to Sky Sports. The Guardian noted that Dyche and Pereira both have backers within the leadership due to their previous experience managing Nottingham Forest.
Manager Under Pressure After Defeat to Liverpool
Sage was appointed in mid-June as the successor to Oliver Glasner, who led Palace to their first FA Cup and a Europa Conference League trophy before moving to Forest. However, Sage has managed only two wins from 10 Premier League matches this season.
Crystal Palace set to SACK Pierre Sage: Thomas Frank leads race to replace struggling French boss with club bottom of the Premier League https://t.co/4YBCQ63LRG
Palace currently hold the worst defensive record in the top flight, having conceded 24 goals. The team’s struggles have been compounded by the departures of central defenders Marc Guéhi to Manchester City in January and Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea in the summer, alongside an injury crisis.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Liverpool match, Sage defended his side’s effort despite the scoreline. “We start really well, we create a lot of chances but without scoring and taking this goal [against] after a set-piece with the consequence of transition, it’s really difficult against Liverpool because they have a lot of speed and are really efficient in transition,” Sage said.
Jamie Carragher Assesses the Managerial Situation
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher argued that a managerial change is imminent following the weekend’s fixtures. Analyzing the performance against Liverpool, Carragher suggested that owners cannot ignore the financial stakes of Premier League status.
“I think the decision will be made, unfortunately for Pierre Sage,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I think Palace will have a new manager the next time they play in the Premier League.”
🚨 Thomas Frank is in pole position to become next Crystal Palace manager with Pierre Sage expected to be sacked.@BobbyManzi https://t.co/Qvpuw2tfLC
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pierre Sage take charge of Crystal Palace?
Sage was appointed in mid-June to replace Oliver Glasner, signing a three-year contract after leaving French club Lens.
How many goals have Crystal Palace conceded in the Premier League this season?
Palace hold the worst defensive record in the top flight, having shipped 24 goals across their opening 10 matches.
Thomas Frank in pole postion to replace Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace. #CPFChttps://t.co/IaDOA2BpPp
What was Thomas Frank’s previous managerial role?
Frank served as head coach of Tottenham last season before being sacked after less than eight months in charge, prior to which he managed Brentford from 2018 to 2025.
Excl : Thomas Frank a KEY candidate for #CPFC managerial appointment. Pierre Sage is going to be sacked, it’s expected the announcement will be tomorrow.