Crystal Palace: Pierre Sage appointed new manager as he leaves RC Lens to replace Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park

15.06.2026, 20:15 skysports.com

Crystal Palace have appointed Pierre Sage as their new manager.

The Frenchman has signed a contract until the summer of 2029. The Eagles agreed a compensation package with Ligue 1 club RC Lens to release Sage from his contract.

The 47-year-old emerged as the preferred candidate after Andoni Iraola became Liverpool head coach.

Palace were seeking a new boss after Oliver Glasner chose not to renew his contract at Selhurst Park, which expires on June 30.

The Austrian led the club through one of the most successful spells in their history, winning the FA Cup before signing off with victory in the Conference League final in May.

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Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

Crystal Palace and Pierre Sage have something in common - they are in a trophy-winning mood.

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The Eagles are on a run after winning multiple major trophies - the first pieces of silverware in their history - over the last 12 months. The FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League won under former boss Oliver Glasner represent a golden era at the club.

Sage, meanwhile, is in a similar mood after a sensational season at Lens. He took the Ligue 1 club into a title race with European champions Paris Saint-Germain - and they were leading the way at the end of February.

But Sage's main achievement last season was the Coupe de France victory, earning Lens the first trophy in their history.

Having also coached Lyon, Sage has a lot of history playing a back three - which is the system Glasner nailed down to a tee. At Lens, Sage also managed to create an attack-minded team despite not being the main protagonists on the pitch in terms of possession.

All this makes sense for Sage to be the man in charge following Glasner's golden period at Palace. Yes, he's never managed in the Premier League before. But neither had Glasner before he turned up in south London...