Crystal Palace sack Pierre Sage; Thomas Frank in advanced talks, BBC and Guardian report

Crystal Palace have sacked manager Pierre Sage. The club are bottom of the Premier League. BBC Sport, The Guardian and Anadolu Agency all reported the dismissal.

Sage left after 16 games in charge. His coaching staff have also left, according to a club statement. BBC Sport quoted the statement as saying: "An update on the process of appointing a new manager will be provided in due course."

BBC Sport and The Guardian report that Thomas Frank is in advanced talks to take over. Frank previously managed Brentford and was sacked by Tottenham in February. Neither outlet names a source for the talks. The reports do not include confirmation from the club or from Frank.

Sage's last match was a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday. It was Palace's fourth consecutive Premier League defeat. That run included a 5-0 loss to Brighton. Palace have won two of their opening 10 league games and have seven points. They have conceded 24 league goals, the most in the division. They are 21st in the 36-team Europa League table.

Sage, a Frenchman, was appointed in June on a three-year contract to replace Oliver Glasner. He previously managed Lens, where he won the French Cup.

Palace's next league match is away at Coventry after the international break. BBC Sport gives the date as 21 November. The Guardian says "next Saturday".

Further reporting

According to BBC Sport, Sage won five of his 16 games in all competitions. BBC Sport also reports that injuries affected his plans. It says forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr were absent due to fitness and personal issues linked to their desire to leave.

According to The Guardian, the decision was made on Sunday evening, but compensation talks delayed Sage's exit. The Guardian reports that Sage is the favourite to return to Lens, who sacked Yannick Cahuzac on Tuesday. It also reports that Frank spoke to Palace in the summer. It names Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira as alternatives.

What is disputed

The two outlets quote the club's message of thanks with different wording. BBC Sport: "The club thanks Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future." The Guardian: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in south London, and wish them well for the future."

What each side says

• Crystal Palace thanked Sage and his staff and said an update on a new appointment will follow. The reports do not include an official reason for the dismissal.
• Pierre Sage said after the Brighton defeat that he felt "shame", according to BBC Sport. The Guardian reports he is understood to have fallen out with the board over replacements for defenders Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix.
• Steve Parish, the Palace chair, was unhappy with Sage's treatment of centre-back Jaydee Canvot, according to The Guardian.

The reports do not include any comment from Sage on his dismissal, from Frank, or from Lens.

Analysis

Palace now face a short window to appoint a successor before the Coventry match. If the reported talks with Frank conclude, the club would turn to a coach with Premier League experience but a difficult recent spell at Tottenham. If they stall, The Guardian's reporting suggests other candidates are under consideration. The reported tensions over recruitment, which rest on unattributed reporting, may matter for any incoming manager. The cost of Sage's exit could also depend on whether he finds a new club. None of these outcomes is confirmed, and the club has not given an official reason for the change.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.