Pierre Sage is under increasing pressure at Crystal Palace after Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle left the Eagles in the Premier League's bottom four. The result extended Palace's winless run to four matches, while supporters responded with boos at Selhurst Park.
Sage arrived with a difficult act to follow after Oliver Glasner's successful spell, during which Palace won the FA Cup, a European trophy and the Community Shield. Four months into a three-year contract, the Frenchman has collected only seven points from his first eight league matches in charge.
The 47-year-old insisted after the Newcastle loss that the reaction around the club was not affecting the squad. He acknowledged that supporters were entitled to be frustrated by the results, but said his focus remained on finding solutions and helping the team compete more effectively. Sage also stressed that decisions about his position would rest with the chairman and owners.
Palace began the post-Glasner league campaign with defeats by Everton and Manchester City, then beat Fulham before losing at home to newly promoted Ipswich. A goalless draw at Leeds was followed by a victory over Nottingham Forest, but the Eagles have since lost to Brighton and drawn 2-2 with Besiktas in Istanbul after a Europa League defeat by Lyon.
Defensive problems have been a major concern, with Palace having conceded 19 goals in eight league games, the worst record in the division. Their next league fixture is away to improving Tottenham, followed by a home match against Liverpool before the international break. They then return to action at fellow strugglers Coventry City.
Sage was named Ligue 1 manager of the year after guiding Lens to second place and the French Cup, with that side noted for aggressive pressing and rapid attacks after winning possession. Opta figures recorded 426 high turnovers by Lens during the 2025-26 season, producing 69 shots and seven goals from those situations.
However, BBC Radio 5 Live pundits Julien Laurens, Dion Dublin and Lucy Ward questioned whether Sage needs to become more ruthless. Laurens described him as a particularly kind manager and said he must adapt to the intensity of the Premier League, while Dublin argued that a softer approach could cost him matches. With Palace struggling for results and confidence, the question is whether Sage will still be in charge when the team faces Coventry later in November.
