Pierre Sage’s future at Crystal Palace is under growing scrutiny after the Eagles were thrashed 5-0 by Brighton on Sunday, leaving them 14th in the Premier League. The result capped a difficult week for the club and raised fresh questions about whether the Frenchman will remain in charge.
Sage apologised to Palace supporters after the defeat and accepted responsibility for the team’s performance. He also admitted he could not say whether he would still be in the dugout in the short term, while acknowledging that the display was not acceptable.
According to the Daily Mail, Sage could become the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season. Palace have conceded 17 goals in seven league matches, the worst defensive record in the division, and allowed eight goals during the past week alone after also conceding three against Lyon.
The manager had already faced pressure before the international break, although two positive results helped ease the situation before the pause. Palace then defeated Nottingham Forest on their return, with Oliver Glasner now in charge of their former manager’s side. However, the defeats by Lyon and Brighton have reportedly placed Sage’s position under renewed threat.
The Daily Mail also reports that relations between Palace’s leadership and Sage are already strained. The club may have to decide whether to act before the next international break in November, with six fixtures across the Europa League, Premier League and League Cup scheduled over a three-week period. That demanding sequence could increase the pressure on Sage with every further setback.
