Crystal Palace are on the verge of dismissing manager Pierre Sage on Monday, marking the first managerial sacking of the Premier League season. The decision follows a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, which dropped the Eagles to the bottom of the table for the first time since December 2017. This result capped a dismal four-game losing streak, erasing any remaining goodwill from the club’s hierarchy despite Sage having served for only 16 matches.
Bottom of the table and defenseless: Palace’s hierarchy loses patience after Liverpool defeat.
The statistical case for dismissal is compelling. Sage, who replaced Oliver Glasner in mid-June, has secured just two victories in ten Premier League appearances. More critically, Palace possess the league’s worst defensive record, having conceded 24 goals. A persistent inability to defend set pieces was exposed again against Liverpool, a tactical flaw that has plagued the team since a humiliating 5-0 loss to Brighton last month.
With the boardroom’s patience exhausted, Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunner to take charge. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is viewed as the primary candidate to stabilize the squad and reverse the current slide. Palace are reportedly already initiating the process to bring in a new head coach, signaling a decisive break from the current regime as they attempt to salvage their season.
Source: The Guardian Sport
