Crystal Palace set to sack Pierre Sage after 3-1 Liverpool defeat, Thomas Frank favourite

Palace bottom after Liverpool defeat

Crystal Palace lost 3-1 at Selhurst Park to Liverpool on Sunday, 8 November, and dropped to the bottom of the Premier League. It was the fourth successive league defeat for the London club, which has taken seven points from its 10 league matches. Palace have won only two of those games and have conceded 24 goals, the worst defensive record in the league. Their goal difference is minus 14. According to The New York Times, it was the first time since December 2017 that Palace sat bottom after a complete round of games.

Sage's future in doubt

Pierre Sage, a 47-year-old Frenchman, took charge in June on a three-year contract as the successor to Oliver Glasner. The Guardian, talkSPORT and Sky UK reported that the club was preparing to dismiss him, and the Guardian expected the decision on Monday, 9 November, which would make him the first Premier League manager sacked this season. When N-tv reported on Monday, Palace had not yet confirmed a split. The club had given Sage time after a 5-0 defeat by Brighton in October, but its hierarchy grew impatient with defensive errors, including goals conceded from set pieces. Palace have also lost key defenders, with Marc Guéhi moving to Manchester City in January and Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea in the summer, and loan signings Axel Disasi and Honest Ahanor were brought in as replacements. After the Liverpool game Sage denied that his dream job had turned into a nightmare and said the squad needed adjustments in the January transfer window.

Thomas Frank leads the search

Thomas Frank, a 53-year-old Dane, is the preferred candidate according to The New York Times, the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Evening Standard. Frank was dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur in February, having left them in 16th place after eight months in charge. His seven years at Brentford, which included promotion to the Premier League and four further seasons of top-flight survival, are the main reason Palace are interested. Talks have reportedly already taken place, and the club hopes to make an appointment during the two-week international break. The Evening Standard listed Frank at odds of 1/2 and England assistant coach Anthony Barry at 6/4. Frank would reportedly bring back his former Spurs assistants Justin Cochrane and Chris Haslam, and he would also inherit Paddy McCarthy and goalkeeping coach Andy Quy.

Other names in the frame

Sean Dyche, who left Nottingham Forest in February, is seen by some at the club as a safe pair of hands given his Premier League experience. Vitor Pereira, who left Forest this summer, is also considered a possible successor. Tony Popovic, a former Palace centre-back who spent five seasons at the club as a player, is currently in charge of Australia's national team. Frank Lampard and Rob Edwards have also been named as alternatives. N-tv reports that Palace prefer a manager with experience in the English top flight, and the decision rests with club chairman Steve Parish.

Timing before Coventry

Palace's next league fixture is at Coventry City on 21 November, and N-tv reports that the club wants the question of who leads the side in the relegation fight settled before then. The BBC reports that Palace have been winless in the league since 11 October. Sage's contract, according to N-tv, runs until 2029, but the club has not confirmed any change in his position as of Monday, 9 November.