Crystal Palace dismiss Pierre Sage after 16 games, Thomas Frank in advanced talks

Crystal Palace announced on Sunday that manager Pierre Sage has been dismissed after 16 league matches, with the club sitting bottom of the Premier League following a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool. The French coach, who signed a three-year deal in mid-June to replace Oliver Glasner, will receive compensation estimated at 18 months' salary, roughly £4 million per season, bringing his total cost to the club to more than £10 million.

The club said it also expects the backroom staff to leave and thanked Sage and his team for their efforts. It added that an update on the appointment of a new manager will be provided in due course.

Thomas Frank, out of work since his dismissal by Tottenham Hotspur in February, is reported to be the leading candidate. Frank, who previously guided Brentford to promotion and a strong Premier League spell, spoke to Palace in the summer and is eager for a new challenge. The club hopes to have a replacement in place before the upcoming match against Coventry.

Other names mentioned as possible successors include former Nottingham Forest managers Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira. Sage’s tenure was marked by a difficult run of results – five defeats in eight matches, including a 5-0 loss to rivals Brighton – and the team have conceded the most goals in the division, 24, while sitting seventh with seven points from ten games.

Sage is also linked to a potential return to French club Lens, where he previously won the Coupe de France and secured Champions League qualification, after Lens dismissed Yannick Cahuzac.

Palace have struggled with defensive injuries, losing centre-backs Marc Guéhi to Manchester City and Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea, and have brought in loan signings Axel Disasi and teenager Honest Ahanor as replacements. The club failed to secure winger Malick Fofana, one of Sage’s top targets. Reports suggest a disagreement between Sage and the board over the recruitment of replacements contributed to his departure, and chair Steve Parish expressed dissatisfaction with Sage’s handling of centre-back Jaydee Canvot and the substitution of Adam Wharton in a recent match.