Crystal Palace have officially dismissed manager Pierre Sage after a challenging five-month tenure that left the South London club at the bottom of the Premier League. The decision was confirmed on Thursday, marking the end of a 16-match spell for the former RC Lens coach.
The club announced that three members of the coaching staff, including Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa, and Sandy Guichard, have also departed. Palace expressed their gratitude to the staff for their efforts during their time at Selhurst Park and stated that an update regarding a successor would follow.
Sage, who arrived on a three-year contract in June, struggled to replicate the success of his predecessor, Oliver Glasner. The team has secured only two victories in their opening 10 Premier League matches and currently holds the league's worst defensive record, having conceded 24 goals.
The Eagles' recent form proved to be the catalyst for the change, with the team suffering four consecutive league defeats. Their most recent outing resulted in a 3-1 loss to Liverpool at home on Sunday, leaving the side winless in the top flight since 11 October.
Beyond their domestic struggles, the club has also faced difficulties in the Europa League, where they currently sit 21st in the 36-team table with only one win from four matches. Reports indicate that the club is already in advanced talks with former Brentford and Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to lead their survival efforts.
The departure of Sage comes on the same day that Manchester United confirmed the dismissal of Michael Carrick, making them the first two managers to be sacked in the Premier League this season. Palace are now preparing for their next league fixture, which is scheduled to take place away at Coventry on 21 November following the international break.
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