Crystal Palace Set to Sack Pierre Sage and Target Thomas Frank 2026

Crystal Palace are poised to sack Pierre Sage after Sunday’s defeat by Liverpool left them bottom of the Premier League for the first time since December 2017. The Frenchman, appointed in mid-June to replace Oliver Glasner, has been under mounting pressure since a 5-0 loss by Brighton last month.

There have been few signs of improvement as Palace have slumped to four successive league defeats. Sage has guided Palace to only two wins from their 10 Premier League games this season and they have the league’s worst defensive record, with 24 goals conceded so far.

Why Crystal Palace Are Sacking Pierre Sage

Despite promising moments during the 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Sunday, Palace’s habit of conceding goals from set pieces has not been rectified. It is understood the patience of the club’s hierarchy has worn thin despite Sage only being at the helm for 16 matches.

He is expected to become the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season on Monday. Palace are already believed to have started the process of bringing in his replacement.

Thomas Frank Emerges as Main Candidate

Thomas Frank, who was dismissed by Tottenham in February, spoke to Palace in the summer and is said to be keen for a new challenge after a successful spell at Brentford. The Danish coach is highly regarded for his work with the Bees, where he established them as a stable Premier League side.

Frank’s potential appointment would signal a shift in direction for Palace, who are seeking a manager with proven top-flight experience. His ability to organize teams defensively and get the most out of limited resources could be exactly what the club needs.

Other Candidates in the Frame

The former Nottingham Forest manager, Sean Dyche, also has his backers at Palace and would be seen as a safe pair of hands given his experience in relegation battles. Dyche’s pragmatic approach might appeal to a board desperate for stability.

However, Frank remains the frontrunner due to his more progressive style and recent success. Palace are believed to be weighing up their options carefully before making a final decision.

What This Means for Crystal Palace

Sacking a manager just 16 games into his tenure is a drastic move, but the club’s precarious league position has forced their hand. Palace risk being cut adrift if they don’t act quickly, and the upcoming fixtures will be crucial.

The new manager will need to address the defensive frailties immediately, particularly the set-piece issues that have plagued the team. With the January transfer window approaching, there may also be opportunities to strengthen the squad.

• Crystal Palace are bottom of the Premier League with only two wins from 10 games.
• Pierre Sage is expected to be sacked on Monday after just 16 matches in charge.
• Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to replace him, with Sean Dyche also in contention.
• Palace have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 24 goals.
• The club’s hierarchy have lost patience after a run of four consecutive defeats.

Comparison of Managerial Candidates

What to Watch Next

Palace’s next move will be closely scrutinized as they attempt to climb out of the relegation zone. The club’s ability to attract a manager of Frank’s caliber could hinge on assurances over transfer funds and long-term vision.

Meanwhile, Sage’s departure would mark the end of a brief and unsuccessful era. The Frenchman arrived with promise but failed to deliver, and his exit will serve as a reminder of the ruthless nature of Premier League management.

The situation at Selhurst Park has been brewing for weeks. As we noted in our analysis of Pierre Sage’s regrets over missed 15 minutes, the manager was already feeling the heat. The club’s transfer window chaos also tested the new boss, as detailed in our report on Crystal Palace’s transfer window chaos.

Despite giving Sage more time, the board’s patience has finally run out. Our article on Crystal Palace giving Pierre Sage more time highlighted the precarious nature of his position. Even after a brief reprieve ahead of the Tottenham clash, as covered in our piece on Sage getting more time, results did not improve.

The pressure intensified after Spurs’ win and Mateta’s red card, which left Sage clinging to his job. A brief respite came when Nketiah fired Crystal Palace past Fulham, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Now, Palace must find a way to move forward, perhaps drawing inspiration from Frank Lampard’s fearless approach at Coventry.