Crystal Palace weighing Pierre Sage's future after 3-1 loss to Liverpool, reports say

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 8 November 2026, in the Premier League. It was Palace's fourth successive league defeat.

Palace have won two of their 10 league matches this season. They have conceded 24 goals, the worst defensive record in the division. BBC Sport reports they have not won a league match since 11 October.

Manager Pierre Sage was appointed in June on a three-year contract, replacing Oliver Glasner. He previously managed Lens, where he won the Coupe de France. Pressure on him has grown since a 5-0 league defeat by Brighton, which began the losing run.

Sage's future

According to BBC Sport and The Guardian, Palace are weighing whether to replace Sage. The Guardian presents parts of its reporting as what "it is understood" or "believed" without naming sources, while BBC Sport does not specify its sourcing. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any on-record statement from the club.

The Guardian describes former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank as the main candidate, while BBC Sport calls him a strong candidate. Both outlets also report that former Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has support within the club. According to BBC Sport, both men are out of work and could start immediately. The Guardian names Vítor Pereira, another former Forest manager, as a possible alternative. The reports do not include comment from any of the three.

According to BBC Sport, some people at the club have shown sympathy for Sage, citing injuries and the absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr. It says both players were missing because of fitness and personal issues linked to their desire to leave.

What is disputed

BBC Sport says Sage is "in serious danger" of losing his job. The Guardian says Palace are "poised" to sack him, that he is expected to be dismissed on Monday, 9 November, and that the process of appointing a replacement is believed to have started. Neither outlet reports that he has been dismissed.

BBC Sport and The Guardian say Palace are bottom of the league. An Anadolu Agency headline describes Sunderland, who it reports beat Chelsea 1-0, as "bottom-placed". Its summary does not say whether this refers to their position before or after that match.

What each side says

After the Liverpool match, Sage rejected the idea that his job had become a nightmare. "It's not from the dream to the nightmare," BBC Sport quoted him as saying. "I'm not feeling this. I'm just in my job, and focusing on my job, and what I have to do to find the solution."

"We have to be more competitive," he said, according to BBC Sport. The Guardian quoted him as saying: "We have to adjust some positions during the winter transfer window to give more solutions."

Analysis

The reporting points to a club weighing poor recent results against an appointment made only in June. If Palace dismiss Sage, the choice of successor could indicate whether the board prioritises defensive organisation or a different approach. If he stays, the international break and the January window he referred to may become central to any recovery. Reported sympathy inside the club cites injuries and player absences. Reported frustration centres on results and goals conceded from set pieces. Until the club comments on the record, the timing and outcome remain unconfirmed, and both scenarios remain possible.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.