Palace could avoid large payout if Pierre Sage returns to Lens
Crystal Palace could avoid paying Pierre Sage significant compensation if he is reappointed by his former club Lens after a decision to sack him was taken on Sunday evening following a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool, although his exit from Selhurst Park has not been officially confirmed.
The Liverpool loss was Palace’s fourth successive Premier League defeat and left them bottom of the table for the first time since 2017. Reports on Monday suggested Sage had been relieved of his post, but he has not been officially sacked and it is understood that negotiations over compensation for his three-year contract are ongoing.
Lens dismissed Yannick Cahuzac on Tuesday after they were beaten 9-1 by Como in a record-equalling Champions League defeat last week and then lost 2-1 to Marseille in Ligue 1, a development that has opened the possibility of a quick return to northern France for Sage. The Lens owner and president, Joseph Oughourlian, has remained in close contact with Sage since he left to pursue what the 47-year-old described as his "dream" move to the Premier League. Oughourlian is thought to favour bringing Sage back as a means of steadying the club.
Sage’s previous achievements at Lens are noted in the discussions: he won the French Cup and finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 during his time in charge. Palace had already paid more than £4m to buy Sage out of his contract when he replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer, a sum that could mean no further compensation would be payable if Lens reappoints him.
Yannick Cahuzac had been promoted from assistant to replace Dino Toppmöller after Toppmöller was sacked in mid-September following just four matches in charge. Supporters at Lens expressed visible frustration before the Marseille game, unfurling a banner that called the players a "disgrace".
At Palace, Sage remained hopeful of more time to improve results but there were few positive signs after a 5-0 defeat by Brighton last month. Some players are understood to have questioned his training methods, while several others reportedly sent him messages of support following the Liverpool loss.
Thomas Frank is regarded as the leading candidate to replace Sage, having indicated he is looking for a new challenge and having held talks with Palace in the summer before the club appointed Sage. Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira are also named as potential alternatives, and Eddie Howe is believed to have rejected an initial inquiry in recent weeks.
Negotiations over compensation for Sage's three-year contract continue, and Lens's decision to sack Cahuzac on Tuesday leaves an immediate vacancy that Joseph Oughourlian is thought to favour filling by reappointing Sage.