News Focus
- Pierre Sage joins Crystal Palace from RC Lens on a contract running until the summer of 2029
- The French manager replaces Oliver Glasner, who departed after winning the FA Cup and Conference League
- Sage became the top choice after Liverpool secured Andoni Iraola as their new head coach
- The 47-year-old guided Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and won the Coupe de France last season
- Steve Parish praised Sage’s trophy-winning record as Palace prepare for European football
Crystal Palace have completed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new manager. The Premier League club have secured the Frenchman on a three-year contract that will keep him at Selhurst Park until 2029.
The Eagles moved quickly to finalise terms with Ligue 1 side RC Lens. Palace paid compensation to release Sage from his existing agreement with the French club.
Sage was not the club’s first choice for the role. Crystal Palace had initially targeted Andoni Iraola to fill the vacancy left by Oliver Glasner. However, Liverpool acted faster and appointed the Basque coach to their dugout instead.
The search for a new manager began after Glasner decided against extending his stay in South London. The Austrian’s contract expired at the end of June. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having delivered the club’s first major trophies including the FA Cup and the Conference League title.
The 47-year-old Frenchman arrives with impressive credentials from his time in France. Last season, he steered Lens to a runners-up finish in Ligue 1, just six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain. More importantly, he led the club to their first-ever Coupe de France triumph.
Sage has expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. “It is amazing to be here at Crystal Palace,” he told the club’s official website. “I am excited by the history of the club and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same.”
The new manager emphasised his desire to maintain the winning culture established by his predecessor. “We won last year and we want to continue in this way. We want to make the fans smile and be proud of the team,” he added.
Chairman Steve Parish welcomed the appointment warmly. “I am tremendously excited to welcome Pierre,” he stated. “He joins us off the back of a trophy-winning season at Lens as well as a fabulous second-place finish in Ligue 1.” Parish believes the Frenchman will drive further success as Palace compete in European competitions next term.
Sage previously coached Olympique Lyonnais and favours an attacking approach using a back three system. This tactical preference mirrors the setup Glasner employed during his successful spell at the club. Like the Austrian before him, Sage has no prior experience managing in the English top flight.
Details regarding Sage’s coaching staff will be announced in the coming days. The Frenchman posted an emotional farewell to Lens supporters on social media before his move to England was confirmed.