Pierre Sage appointed as new head coach of Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have confirmed Pierre Sage as their new head coach, with the Frenchman signing a three-year contract at Selhurst Park, reports BritPanorama.
The 47-year-old arrives from Lens to take over from Oliver Glasner, who departed south London following two and a half seasons at the helm.
Glasner’s exit comes after a trophy-laden spell that transformed the club’s fortunes, delivering the FA Cup in 2025, before adding the Community Shield and Conference League during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Austrian had announced in January his intention to leave at the end of the season, prompting the Eagles to pursue his successor.
Sage’s credentials made him an attractive candidate following an outstanding campaign in France. During his single season with Lens, he claimed Ligue 1’s manager of the year award after guiding the club to a runners-up spot in the league. He also won the Coupe de France, a first triumph in the competition across the club’s 120-year existence.
Prior to his time at Lens, Sage spent 14 months in charge of Lyon, having initially taken the role on an interim basis, and secured Europa League qualification during the 2024-25 season.
Palace had reportedly considered several alternatives, including Andoni Iraola, now managing Liverpool, alongside Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna. Sage acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with succeeding such a decorated manager. He said: “Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That’s why we come here with a lot of ambition. The dynamic here is really positive, and we are in this mindset too.”
The Frenchman emphasised his determination to maintain the winning mentality established under his predecessor. He added: “We won last year – and we want to continue in this way, in a new club, a new project, but with a lot of winning habits.” He will be accompanied at Palace by Jamal Alioui, who served as his assistant at Lens.
Palace’s Conference League triumph ensures Sage will lead the club in the Europa League during his first season. A con for the new man in charge is the number of players Palace have at the World Cup, which may impact their pre-season preparations. Oliver Goodman, Daniel Munoz, Jefferson Lerma, Dean Henderson, Maxence Lacroix, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Ismaila Sarr, Yeremy Pino and Chris Richards are all away with their national teams for the competition.
In the fast-paced world of football management, Sage steps into a role filled with promise and pressure alike. It remains to be seen whether he can echo Glasner’s success or carve out a legacy of his own amid the shifting dynamics of the Premier League.
