Crystal Palace’s Pierre Sage faces fight to keep his job after Brighton defeat

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is under increasing pressure after a 5-0 defeat by Brighton left his side with just two wins from their first seven Premier League matches, BBC Sport reports. The club’s next fixtures against Besiktas and Newcastle could prove crucial to his future. [1]

Palace have conceded 17 goals in those seven league games, the most in the division. BBC Sport says figures at the club are concerned by Sage’s defensive approach, although injuries and the departures of key players have also complicated his start.

The club has been without Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr amid fitness and personal issues, while several players from the side’s recent trophy-winning teams have left. Palace also sold defender Daniel Muñoz to Nottingham Forest for £22m as they sought to comply with Uefa financial rules, according to BBC Sport. [1]

Some people close to Palace believe Sage’s time may be nearing its end if a replacement can be found, the report says. But the club faces challenges in the managerial market: it failed to appoint its preferred target, Andoni Iraola, after Oliver Glasner’s departure.

Chairman Steve Parish has previously resisted calls to act, including after Glasner criticised the board over Marc Guehi’s sale. Glasner remained in charge until his contract ended and won the Europa Conference League after Palace’s FA Cup triumph. [1]