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Crystal Palace have acted swiftly to confirm their new managerial appointment following Oliver Glasner’s departure. The Eagles have reached a preliminary agreement with RC Lens head coach Pierre Sage, who is set to take charge at Selhurst Park.

Eagles find Glasner’s replacement in France

The Premier League side have agreed in principle to bring Pierre Sage to south London as their next head coach. Palace turned their focus to the French manager after missing out on long-term target Andoni Iraola, who joined Liverpool to replace Arne Slot.

According to reports, Sage is expected to sign a deal keeping him at the club until June 2029, with an option to extend for one more season. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development with his trademark “here we go”, and discussions are now underway to finalise a compensation agreement with RC Lens to release the highly regarded coach from his Ligue 1 contract.

Replacing a club legend

Succeeding Glasner will be no easy task for Sage. The Austrian boss oversaw a historic “golden era” for Palace, guiding them to their first-ever major honours — the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and the UEFA Conference League — completing a remarkable treble.

With Glasner deciding not to extend his contract, which expires on June 30, the Palace board set out to find a manager capable of sustaining the club’s recent progress. Sage’s adaptability and impressive record in France’s top league ultimately made him the preferred candidate among the decision-makers.

The rise of Pierre Sage

Sage arrives in England with his reputation soaring after a standout season in France. He led Lens into an unexpected title challenge against Paris Saint-Germain, even topping the league table as late as February. His crowning achievement came when Lens lifted the Coupe de France — the first major trophy in the club’s history.

The French tactician is known for employing a back-three formation, a system that also became integral to Palace’s success under Glasner. His approach — balancing attacking intensity with efficient transitions — mirrors the dynamic playing style that has brought Palace success over recent campaigns.

A new era in south London

Although Sage has not managed in the Premier League before, Palace fans will recall that Glasner too was an unknown entity in English football before his triumphant spell in charge. The club’s recent strategy has centred on identifying and backing promising European managers rather than recycling familiar domestic names.

This appointment signals Palace’s intent to continue evolving under a forward-thinking philosophy. With much of the squad that delivered historic silverware still intact, Sage will aim to build on that foundation and ensure Palace remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions. His upcoming three-year project in south London marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Eagles.