Crystal Palace have set their sights on Lens manager Pierre Sage after missing out on Andoni Iraola.
Palace had been keen to make former Bournemouth boss Iraola their next manager, following the departure of Oliver Glasner, but the Spaniard looks set to make the move to Liverpool.
Liverpool announced the shock sacking of Arne Slot on Saturday after just two years at the club. The Dutchman had won the Premier League title in his first season in England, but could only guide the Reds to fifth in the defence of their title this season.
Pierre Sage has done an incredible job at Lens
Sage was one of the potential names on the Liverpool shortlist, but Iraola is the clear favourite to take over at Anfield, with Palace now exploring a move to bring Sage in.
Sage left his role as Lyon boss at the end of last season, making the move to Lens, where he has enjoyed a terrific first season in charge. Lens were in the mix to win the Ligue Un title until losing to champions Paris Saint-Germain in the penultimate game of the season.
They would go on to finish as runners-up for the sixth time in their history – they’ve won the title once – and lifted the Coupe de France trophy after a 3-1 win over Nice in the final.
Robin Risser won the Ligue Un Goalkeeper of the Year award under Sage’s tutelage this season. He speaks highly of the Frenchman. He said: “He has a unique ability to unite individuals. He makes every player feel completely involved, whether they are starting or on the bench. The trust he instills in us is what allows us to play with so much freedom on the pitch.”
In a tactical analysis of Lens’ challenge for the Ligue Un title, Goal.com said: “What the 47-year-old has achieved is truly extraordinary. When the season began, nobody was quite sure what to expect from a team that had lost three key players… but Sage’s primary objective was completely shattered by his brilliance.”
Sage is highly regarded and has another two years on his contract in northern France, so Palace would have to negotiate a compensation deal with the French outfit were they to take their initial interest further.
Glasner will go down in Crystal Palace history
Whoever comes in at Selhurst Park has big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Glasner.
The Austrian will go down as the Eagles’ most successful ever manager after guiding Palace to three trophies in the last two seasons – their first elite-level pieces of silverware in the club’s history.
Palace won the FA Cup in the 2024/25 season, beating Manchester City in the final, before then lifting the Community Shield at the start of the 2025/26 season, beating Premier League champions Liverpool.
Glasner’s final game in charge was the UEFA Conference League final last week, beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to qualify for next season’s Europa League.
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