Overview
- Crystal Palace issued a club statement on Thursday confirming Pierre Sage has left his role and that three members of his coaching staff — Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard — have also departed.
- The decision follows a run of poor results that has left Palace bottom of the Premier League after 10 league matches and with the division's worst defensive record, having conceded 24 goals.
- Sage had been hired in June on a three-year contract and leaves after 16 matches in charge, during which Palace won only two of their 10 league games.
- The club are reported to be working on a deal for Thomas Frank, whose long-term successes at Brentford are contrasted with a short, troubled spell at Tottenham, a balance sources say Palace must weigh.
- Analysts expect a quick appointment during the international break so the new coach can implement tactical changes — most likely a switch from a three-man defence to a 4-2-3-1 — to strengthen set-piece and crossing defending and revive players such as Jean-Philippe Mateta, Dwight McNeil, Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton.