Crystal Palace Sack Pierre Sage After Five Months as Thomas Frank Emerges as Replacement

Posted : 12 November 2026

Crystal Palace have parted ways with manager Pierre Sage after just five months in charge following a disappointing start to the Premier League season that has left the club at the bottom of the table.

The decision comes after Sunday's 3-1 defeat against Liverpool at Selhurst Park, which extended Palace's losing streak in the league to four matches. The Eagles have managed only two victories from their opening 10 Premier League fixtures, collecting seven points and conceding 24 goals, the highest defensive tally in the division.

Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed the Frenchman, with reports indicating that discussions between the Danish coach and Palace have reached an advanced stage. The club are hoping to appoint a replacement before their next league fixture against Coventry City.

In an official statement, Crystal Palace confirmed Sage's departure alongside three members of his coaching staff: Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard. The club thanked the departing coaches for their contributions and said further information about the managerial appointment would be provided in due course.

Sage joined Palace in June on a three-year contract after an impressive spell with French side Lens, where he guided the club to second place in Ligue 1 and secured a historic French Cup triumph.

However, he struggled to reproduce those achievements in English football, managing only five victories in 16 matches across all competitions. His difficulties were particularly evident in the Premier League, where Palace repeatedly struggled defensively and failed to turn promising performances into positive results.

The pressure on the 47-year-old increased significantly following a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Brighton in October. Palace subsequently failed to secure a league victory, with further defeats exposing the team's defensive weaknesses.

There were also circumstances that complicated Sage's efforts, including injuries and uncertainty surrounding attacking players Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr. Both players were affected by fitness or personal issues linked to their situations at the club.

Despite the disappointing results, Palace showed occasional signs of improvement. Their performance against Liverpool included several encouraging attacking moments, but defensive problems and missed opportunities ultimately contributed to another defeat.

Sage's departure makes him the second Premier League manager to lose his job during the 2026/27 campaign, following Michael Carrick's dismissal by Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Thomas Frank is expected to become Palace's preferred choice as the club seek to avoid a prolonged battle against relegation. The former Brentford manager enjoyed considerable success during his time with the Bees, helping them reach the Premier League and establish themselves as a competitive top-flight side.

His subsequent spell at Tottenham was considerably less successful. Frank was dismissed in February after less than eight months in charge, with Spurs struggling in the league and sitting close to the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, Palace believe his previous Premier League experience could make him a suitable candidate to restore confidence and improve the team's performances.

The Eagles are expected to use the international break to complete their managerial search, with their next Premier League assignment scheduled away against Coventry City on November 21.

Crystal Palace Sack Pierre Sage After Five Months as Thomas Frank Emerges as Replacement

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