Sage apologises after Palace’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton, with future uncertain

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage apologised to supporters after his side lost 5-0 to Brighton, saying he felt “shame” and did not know whether he would be given time to turn around the team’s form. [1]

Palace conceded three goals in the opening 10 minutes, suffering their heaviest defeat by Brighton since January 1956. Sage, appointed in the summer, said he took responsibility for the performance.

“It’s my fault because I am the coach,” he said. “We played so bad it’s my fault.” Asked whether he would get time to improve results, he replied: “I don’t know.”

Sage also apologised to Palace fans, saying the team had not reached the level expected. “Only one feeling – shame,” he said of his reaction to the match.

Palace are 14th in the Premier League, with two wins from seven games and 17 goals conceded – the most in the division. They have won four, drawn one and lost five of Sage’s 10 matches in charge.

The club’s next match is away to Beşiktaş in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by a home league game against Newcastle on Sunday. Under Sage’s predecessor, Oliver Glasner, Palace won the FA Cup for the first time in 2025 and the Conference League in May.