Crystal Palace near to hire Pierre Sage as head coach

Crystal Palace are on the verge of appointing RC Lens manager Pierre Sage as their new head coach, according to widespread reports. The move would see the Frenchman succeed the departing Oliver Glasner, who concluded a historic tenure by leading the South London club to UEFA Conference League glory last season.

Palace’s search accelerated after their initial top target, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, became the subject of advanced talks with Liverpool. The club’s hierarchy, led by chairman Steve Parish, has since moved decisively to secure Sage, with negotiations between Palace and Lens reportedly progressing positively. An agreement is described as close, though a compensation fee must be settled as Sage remains under contract with the French club for another two years.

Sage, 47, arrives with a burgeoning reputation after a remarkable season with Lens. He guided the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1, just six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain, and secured the Coupe de France trophy. His work has also attracted interest from other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, who reportedly considered him as an alternative candidate.