Crystal Palace set to sack Pierre Sage with Thomas Frank in frame

Crystal Palace are set to sack Pierre Sage after 16 games in charge, with Thomas Frank among the candidates to replace him, according to The Athletic.

Matt Woosnam reports that Palace intend to appoint a successor during the international break after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by Liverpool left them bottom of the Premier League.

Sage arrived in June on a three-year contract but has won only two of his 10 league matches. His side have conceded 24 goals, the division’s worst defensive record.

The expected dismissal is a reported development. Palace had not announced a managerial change on their official website when checked on Monday morning.

Thomas Frank among the candidates to replace Pierre Sage

Sky Sports identifies Thomas Frank as a leading candidate if Palace make a change. The Athletic’s report also names Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira and Australia head coach Tony Popovic as possible successors, with admiration for Coventry City manager Frank Lampard.

Frank’s availability and Premier League experience put him among Palace’s options. That does not establish that he has held talks, agreed terms or been offered the job.

His strongest credentials come from Brentford. He became head coach in October 2018, won promotion in 2021 and guided the Bees to ninth in 2022/23, as the club’s account of his tenure records.

His subsequent spell at Tottenham was less successful. Frank joined Spurs in June 2025 before the club announced his departure on 11 February 2026.

According to the Premier League’s review of that decision, Tottenham were 16th, five points above the relegation zone. His 38 matches in all competitions produced 13 wins, 11 draws and 14 defeats.

Why Palace are set to sack Sage

The Athletic’s reporting points to a run of one win in eight matches across all competitions. Sage’s 16-game tenure includes European and domestic cup fixtures; the league record covers 10 games.

Woosnam reports that Palace’s hierarchy gave Sage more time after October’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton, although concerns remained over defensive errors and the repeated manner of goals conceded.

Sunday offered some attacking encouragement. The club’s Liverpool match report records Yeremy Pino hitting the crossbar, Jørgen Strand Larsen having a goal disallowed and Alisson saving from Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton.

Those chances did not prevent another defeat. Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool before Eddie Nketiah’s late penalty.

Our Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool report covers the match that left Palace facing the international break at the foot of the table.

What Pierre Sage said about his future

Asked about his position after the Liverpool match, Sage insisted his focus remained on improving the team. In comments reported by Woosnam, he said he retained confidence in his ability and would leave any decision to the club.

“Today, my job is not the most important thing,” Sage said. “The most important thing is to find an efficient solution for the team and club.”

What would Palace’s next manager inherit?

Sage took over from Oliver Glasner after leading Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. His arrival coincided with another substantial overhaul at Selhurst Park.

The Athletic reports that Palace signed 11 players during the summer, four of them on deadline day. Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz departed, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr stayed despite uncertainty over their futures.

Our analysis of the problems facing Palace examines the recruitment, absences and defensive issues behind their difficult start.

The immediate priority is resolving the managerial position during the break. Thomas Frank is among the reported candidates; Palace have yet to announce who will lead them when league football resumes.