Crystal Palace have officially announced Pierre Sage as their new first-team manager, following his departure from Lens. The French tactician joins the Premier League side on a three-year contract, marking the start of a new chapter at Selhurst Park. His appointment comes after an incredible period in France, where he revitalised two historic Ligue 1 clubs in record time.

A new era begins at Selhurst Park

At 47, Sage arrives in South London with a growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising managers, having recently earned the Ligue 1 Manager of the Year award. He has penned a three-year deal to guide the Eagles, with the move awaiting final visa approval before he officially takes charge.

The appointment signals a bold step forward from the Palace board. Chairman Steve Parish expressed his enthusiasm about bringing in a coach who has been turning heads across European football. “I am tremendously excited to welcome Pierre, who joins us off the back of a trophy-winning season at Lens as well as a fabulous second-place finish in Ligue 1,” Parish said. “As we move into another European campaign off the back of our success in Leipzig, I know he will give everything to target more success for our fantastic football club.”

Replacing a proven winner

Sage steps into the role previously held by Oliver Glasner, who left after a hugely successful period in charge. The Austrian coach transformed Palace into a team capable of competing at the highest level and leaves behind a solid foundation for his successor.

Under Glasner, Palace enjoyed a golden era, achieving an historic treble by lifting the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and the UEFA Conference League. His achievements elevated the club’s profile both domestically and in Europe, setting high expectations for the next chapter under Sage.

Ambitious plans for the Eagles

In his first comments after taking on the role, Sage expressed his excitement and determination to continue the club’s upward trajectory. “It’s amazing to be here at Crystal Palace. I am excited by the history of the club and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That’s why we come here with a lot of ambition,” he stated.

The French coach also emphasised his desire to bring his winning mentality from France to the Premier League. “The dynamic here is really positive, and we are in this mindset too. We won last year – and we want to continue in this way, in a new club, a new project, but with a lot of winning habits,” he added. Sage’s career path, including spells at Lyon-Duchère and Red Star, has equipped him well for the intensity of English football.

The rise of Pierre Sage

Sage’s ascent in football management has been meteoric. He first made headlines when he took over as interim manager of Lyon in November 2023. At that point, the club was struggling at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. However, Sage engineered a stunning revival, guiding Lyon to 15 victories in their next 20 league matches, which secured a Europa League berth and a place in the Coupe de France final.

Building on that success, Sage moved to Lens, where he achieved historic milestones. He led the club to their first-ever Coupe de France triumph and ensured Champions League qualification. Lens improved by six positions and 18 points in Ligue 1 under his guidance, topping the table for six rounds during the campaign. Sage concluded his tenure with an impressive 67.5% win rate across all competitions, underlining his credentials as one of Europe’s most exciting emerging coaches.