Palace to Enter Discussions with Lens Manager Sage

Crystal Palace are poised to initiate conversations with Lens manager Pierre Sage early this week as they seek a successor to Oliver Glasner. The Premier League side is navigating a shifting landscape in their managerial search, having faced setbacks in their pursuit of their primary target, Andoni Iraola. Iraola is scheduled to begin formal negotiations with Liverpool in the coming days to succeed Arne Slot, who was dismissed on Saturday.

Although Palace presented a concrete offer to Iraola, his apparent move to Anfield has prompted the south London club to explore other avenues. Under the leadership of chairman Steve Parish, the Eagles are taking a measured approach to appointing their next head coach, carefully reviewing multiple candidates rather than rushing into a decision.

Sage, 47, has emerged as a key figure in this search, steadily building a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising coaches. BBC Sport initially reported Palace’s interest in the Frenchman on May 8, though the hierarchy was then concentrated on securing Iraola from Bournemouth. Lens is reportedly willing to consider an offer, and meetings with Palace officials are anticipated in the near future.

Since taking charge in June of last year, Sage has guided Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and secured the club’s first-ever Coupe de France title by defeating Nice in the final.

Glasner, who guided Palace to the FA Cup triumph last season and the Europa Conference League victory this term, had announced in January that he would depart at the conclusion of his contract this summer.

Beyond Sage, Palace are evaluating a broad spectrum of potential replacements. The list of candidates includes Coventry City manager Frank Lampard, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller, ex-Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, and former Burnley and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche. Several of these individuals have already engaged in preliminary discussions with the club.

Lampard, who has significantly boosted his standing at Coventry by leading the Sky Blues to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, has strong supporters at Selhurst Park and is known to be aware of Palace’s interest. However, his current contract has one year remaining, and securing his release from Coventry would likely involve a substantial financial outlay, potentially serving as an obstacle.

Similarly, McKenna, who has returned Ipswich to the top flight, commands high wages at Portman Road and is thought to have a release clause valued at no less than £5 million. In contrast, Frank, Toppmoller, and Dyche are currently out of work, making their appointments potentially more straightforward for the club.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 07:49:53 UTC