Crystal Palace have sacked Pierre Sage just months after bringing him in from Lens, ending a brief spell in charge for the French coach who led one of Ligue 1’s standout teams last season. His departure has paved the way for a return to his former club.
Sage’s time in London lasted 16 games in all competitions. A 3–1 defeat to Liverpool left Palace bottom of the Premier League with just seven points from ten matches.
According to The Guardian, negotiations over compensation delayed the announcement. Palace eventually agreed to pay Sage the equivalent of 18 months’ salary, around £6 million based on his estimated annual pay of £4 million.
Palace had already paid Lens more than £4 million to release Sage from his contract in the summer. That brings the cost of hiring and sacking him to more than £10 million, before factoring in the wages he earned during his time in London.
Sage signed a three-year deal to succeed Oliver Glasner, but Palace won just twice in the league under him and conceded 24 goals, the worst defensive record in the division when he left. The club are in advanced talks with Thomas Frank to take over.
A return to Lens now looks close. The French club dismissed Yannick Cahuzac after a 9–1 defeat to Como in the Champions League and a subsequent league loss to Marseille, then turned to the coach who had enjoyed success there last season.
According to Foot Mercato, Lens have reached a verbal agreement with Sage, with only the final details left to settle. Last season, he led Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and Champions League qualification, and guided them to their first Coupe de France title with a win over Nice in the final.
