Pierre Sage sacked by Crystal Palace after five months in charge

Crystal Palace have sacked manager Pierre Sage after just 16 games, with the club bottom of the Premier League.

Pierre Sage was sacked on Thursday afternoon, hours after Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick. He is the second Premier League manager to lose his job this season.

The Frenchman leaves with Palace on seven points from 10 league games. Three of his coaching staff have also left.

What Crystal Palace said

Palace said in a statement: “Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as Manager.”

The club named the three coaches leaving with him as Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard. It thanked Sage and his staff and wished them well, adding that “an update on the process of appointing a new Manager will be provided in due course”.

Why Pierre Sage was sacked

Sage, 47, arrived in June on a three-year contract to replace Oliver Glasner, who later moved to Nottingham Forest. Palace paid Lens more than £4m to release him after he led the French club to second place in Ligue 1.

He won only two of his 10 Premier League games, and five of 16 in all competitions. Palace have conceded 24 league goals, more than any other side in the division.

His last match was Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool, a fourth straight loss, and Palace have not won a league game since 11 October. You can read our report from that defeat here.

The decision was made on Sunday evening. Sky Sports reported that Palace are now working to bring in a replacement during the international break. The announcement was delayed by talks over compensation for the rest of his contract. A further complication came on Tuesday, when Lens sacked their own head coach, Yannick Cahuzac.

What went wrong at Selhurst Park

Sage was always up against it. Palace were the lowest spenders in the Premier League in the summer, missed out on his top target Malick Fofana, and lost Daniel Munoz.

The absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr also hurt. Both have been out through a mix of fitness problems and their wish to leave the club.

The workload did not help either. Palace have won one of four Europa League games, although they are still in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Who will replace Pierre Sage?

Thomas Frank is the clear favourite. BBC Sport reports the former Brentford and Tottenham boss is in advanced talks, and bookmakers have suspended betting on him.

Frank has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in February. He made his name at Brentford, taking them into the Premier League for the first time in 2021 and keeping them there.

Sean Dyche has also been linked, along with former Palace defender Tony Popovic.

Palace want the new manager in place before their next match, at Coventry on 21 November. They then host Hull.

A double sacking day

It is the first time this season that two Premier League managers have lost their jobs on the same day. United confirmed Carrick’s exit on Thursday morning, with Mauricio Pochettino lined up to replace him.

For the latest from the top flight, visit our Premier League hub.

Pierre Sage sacking FAQ

Why was Pierre Sage sacked?
Crystal Palace are bottom of the Premier League with seven points from 10 games, after four straight defeats.

How long was Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace?
About five months. He was appointed in June and took charge of 16 games.

Who is favourite to be the next Crystal Palace manager?
Thomas Frank, the former Brentford and Tottenham boss, who is in advanced talks with the club.

When do Crystal Palace play next?
Away at Coventry on Saturday 21 November.