Crystal Palace switch focus from Iraola and Lampard to Lens manager Pierre Sage
Frenchman first choice now Iraola is in Liverpool talks
Palace put off by compensation fee for Frank Lampard
Crystal Palace are in talks with Pierre Sage with a view to making him their head coach after he led Lens to second in Ligue 1 this season. Andoni Iraola was the preferred option to replace Oliver Glasner but the former Bournemouth manager is in discussions with Liverpool over succeeding Arne Slot.
Sage inherited a Lens side last June who had finished eighth and made them title contenders, finishing six points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain, and won the Coupe de France. He was in charge of Lyon for just over a year before being sacked in January 2025. Sage is understood to be keen to join Palace so the expectation is that a deal will be struck.
