Pierre Sage has insisted that uncertainty surrounding his position at Crystal Palace is merely background noise, while acknowledging that decisions about his future belong to the club’s senior leadership. The manager made the comments during a lengthy post-match media conference.
Palace have collected just seven points from their opening eight league fixtures of the post-Glasner era. They began with defeats by Everton and Manchester City, then won at Fulham before losing at home to newly promoted Ipswich Town. A goalless draw at Leeds was followed by a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on 11 October.
Since that win, Palace have lost to Sage’s former club Lyon in the Europa League and been beaten by Brighton. They then drew 2-2 with Besiktas in Istanbul on Thursday. Patience among supporters is now reported to be wearing thin following the latest loss to Newcastle.
The defensive figures add to the pressure, with Palace having conceded 19 goals in eight Premier League matches — the division’s poorest defensive record. Their next league assignment is away to improving Tottenham next Saturday, followed by a home meeting with Liverpool on 8 November. They return from the international break at fellow strugglers Coventry City on 21 November, raising questions over whether Sage will still be in charge by then.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, French football expert Julien Laurens said Sage may need to adopt a harder edge. Laurens described him as a kind person but argued that his reaction after Palace’s win at Fulham showed too much sympathy for the beaten side. In Laurens’ view, the Premier League demands a more ruthless approach, particularly when a team is securing a much-needed victory.
