Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing to part ways with manager Pierre Sage following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford boss Thomas Frank emerging as the leading candidate to take over at Selhurst Park.
The Frenchman’s position has come under intense scrutiny after Palace suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, a result that pushed the South London club to the bottom of the Premier League table and further increased pressure on the 47-year-old.
According to reports from The Athletic, Palace have decided to end Sage’s tenure after just five months in charge, although the club had yet to make an official announcement at the time of reporting. The club’s hierarchy is understood to be considering a managerial change during the November international break to give a potential successor time to settle before the Premier League resumes.
Sage was appointed in June to replace Oliver Glasner, who departed after overseeing one of the most successful periods in Crystal Palace’s history. However, the former Lens manager has struggled to maintain the standards established by his predecessor, with his team recording only two victories in their opening 10 Premier League matches.
The defeat against Liverpool represented Palace’s fourth consecutive league loss, extending a difficult run that has included disappointing results against Brighton and Newcastle United, as well as Tottenham.
Their defensive problems have been particularly concerning, with the Eagles conceding 24 goals in 10 league matches, the worst defensive record in the division. Palace have also managed just seven points from those fixtures, leaving them in 20th position and facing the growing possibility of an early relegation battle.
Sunday’s encounter at Selhurst Park offered some encouraging attacking moments, but Palace once again struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. Liverpool took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister in the 40th minute before Florian Wirtz doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. Alexander Isak added a third in the 89th minute, while Eddie Nketiah converted a stoppage-time penalty to give the hosts a consolation goal.
Despite the disappointing result, Sage insisted that his players had shown positive signs and argued that their inability to take chances had contributed significantly to their poor results. He also suggested that the squad required adjustments during the January transfer window to provide additional options in certain positions.
However, the club’s hierarchy appears increasingly concerned about the team’s defensive vulnerability and the possibility of allowing the season to deteriorate further.
Thomas Frank has reportedly moved to the front of the managerial conversation, with the former Brentford and Tottenham manager considered a serious option should Palace complete their decision to dismiss Sage.
The Danish tactician remains available after leaving Tottenham earlier in 2026. His reputation was largely built during an impressive spell at Brentford, where he guided the club into the Premier League and established them as a competitive top-flight side despite operating with considerably fewer financial resources than several of their rivals.
Frank’s ability to organise a team, develop players and build a competitive squad could make him an attractive appointment for Palace, particularly as the club attempts to recover from its difficult opening to the campaign.
His previous association with Palace has also attracted attention, with reports indicating that he was considered by the club during the summer before the appointment of Sage.
Former Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is another name reportedly under consideration. The experienced English coach is known for his emphasis on defensive organisation and his ability to guide teams through difficult Premier League campaigns. His experience in relegation battles could appeal to Palace as they look to avoid becoming trapped at the bottom of the table.
Vítor Pereira has also been mentioned as a possible alternative, while former Palace defender Tony Popovic and Coventry City manager Frank Lampard have attracted varying levels of interest in discussions surrounding potential replacements.
Nevertheless, the decision to replace Sage would not necessarily solve all the problems facing the club. Palace have experienced significant changes to their defensive personnel, while injuries and the absence of important attacking options have also affected the manager’s ability to establish consistency.
The departure of Glasner has also left considerable expectations at Selhurst Park. The Austrian helped Palace secure their first major domestic trophy with their FA Cup triumph in 2025 before adding further silverware through their European success in 2026.
Replacing a manager who delivered such achievements was always going to be a difficult assignment, but Palace’s current league position has made patience increasingly difficult to justify.
With the November international break providing an opportunity for the club to reassess its direction, Palace’s next managerial appointment could prove decisive in determining whether they can recover their season.
For Sage, the reported decision represents a disappointing end to a relatively short spell in English football, while Frank could have an opportunity to rebuild his Premier League reputation if Palace decide to hand him the responsibility.
The Eagles now face an important period in their campaign, with supporters waiting to discover who will be entrusted with the task of restoring confidence, improving defensive performances and moving the club away from the relegation zone.
