Crystal Palace have sacked manager Pierre Sage after less than five months in charge, with the club bottom of the Premier League following four consecutive league defeats.
The 47-year-old Frenchman was appointed in June on a three-year contract to replace Oliver Glasner, but won only two of his 10 Premier League matches. Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool proved to be his final game.
Palace have collected just seven points from their opening 10 league fixtures and conceded 24 goals, the worst defensive record in the division. Their poor run included a 5-0 defeat to Brighton in October.
Palace confirm departure of coaching staff
In a brief statement on Thursday, Palace confirmed that Sage had left his position. Three members of his coaching staff, Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard, have also departed.
The club thanked Sage and his staff for their efforts during their time in south London and said an update on the appointment of a new manager would be provided in due course.
Sage faced a difficult task following Glasner’s departure. His predecessor had guided Palace to the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League, but several important players left during the summer, leaving the new manager with a squad undergoing significant change.
Those departures, together with limited summer recruitment, contributed to Palace’s difficulties. Nevertheless, their league results and persistent defensive problems increased the pressure on Sage.
Thomas Frank the leading candidate
Former Brentford and Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Selhurst Park.
Sky Sports reports that Palace are working on a deal to appoint the Dane, while The Guardian says talks are at an advanced stage.
Frank has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in February. He previously spent seven years at Brentford, leading the club into the Premier League and establishing them in the top flight.
No appointment has yet been confirmed.
Palace return to Premier League action away to Coventry City on Saturday 21 November. The international break gives the club an opportunity to appoint a successor before that fixture.
Sage’s dismissal follows Manchester United’s decision to sack Michael Carrick earlier on Thursday, making it two Premier League managerial departures on the same day.
