Crystal Palace sack Pierre Sage after five months, Thomas Frank in frame
Synopsis
Crystal Palace have cut short Pierre Sage's five-month reign after a fourth straight Premier League defeat left them bottom of the table with 24 goals conceded — the worst defensive record in the division. With Thomas Frank reportedly in advanced talks, Palace are racing to appoint a new manager before their season becomes irretrievable.
Key Takeaways
Crystal Palace sacked manager Pierre Sage on 12 November 2026 after just five months in charge.
Coaching staff Jamal Alioui , Damien Della Santa , and Sandy Guichard also departed.
Palace sit bottom of the Premier League with only 2 wins from 10 matches and 24 goals conceded — the most in the division.
The final straw was a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool , their fourth consecutive league loss.
Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is reportedly in advanced talks to take over.
Palace are also 21st in the Europa League standings with just one win from four continental matches.
Crystal Palace have dismissed manager Pierre Sage after just five months in charge at Selhurst Park, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The sacking follows a damaging run of results that has left the Eagles rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with only two wins from their opening 10 league matches.
Official Confirmation and Staff Departures
Crystal Palace confirmed in an official statement that three members of Sage's coaching staff — Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa, and Sandy Guichard — had also departed alongside the manager. 'The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future,' the club said.
What Triggered the Sacking
The final blow came on Sunday when Palace suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool — their fourth consecutive Premier League loss. The result compounded an already dire situation. Palace have conceded 24 goals in the Premier League this season, the highest tally of any club in the competition, exposing a defensive fragility that proved impossible to paper over.
Struggles on Two Fronts
Palace's troubles have not been confined to domestic football. Their Europa League campaign has also stalled, with the club sitting 21st in the 36-team standings after managing just one win from four matches. The twin pressures of a relegation battle at home and a faltering European run created an untenable position for Sage, whose tenure lasted barely five months.
Thomas Frank Emerges as Leading Candidate
Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunner to take charge at Selhurst Park, according to reports suggesting that discussions over his appointment have reached an advanced stage. Crystal Palace have not officially confirmed a successor, stating that further information on the managerial appointment would be provided in due course.
What Happens Next
With Palace in the relegation zone and already a third of the way through their league season, the club's hierarchy is under pressure to move swiftly. A new manager will need to stabilise a defence that has leaked freely and restore confidence in a squad that also faces a congested fixture list. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Palace can fight their way clear of the drop zone.
Point of View
But the speed of the collapse raises harder questions about Crystal Palace's recruitment and planning. Hiring a manager from Lyon's B setup was always a gamble, and the club paid for it within half a season. The more pressing issue is structural: conceding 24 goals in 10 games points to a squad that was poorly assembled in the summer, not merely poorly coached. Thomas Frank would bring Premier League resilience and a clear system — but even he cannot fix a leaky defence without the right players. Palace's real test will come in the January transfer window, not just in the dugout.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Pierre Sage sacked by Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace sacked Pierre Sage following a poor run of results that left the club bottom of the Premier League after just 10 matches, with only two wins and 24 goals conceded. The final trigger was a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool, their fourth consecutive league loss.
Who is likely to replace Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace?
Former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate, with reports indicating that discussions over his appointment have reached an advanced stage. Crystal Palace have not officially confirmed a successor.
How long was Pierre Sage in charge at Crystal Palace?
Pierre Sage was in charge at Crystal Palace for approximately five months before being dismissed on 12 November 2026. It was a brief and turbulent tenure that also saw the club struggle in the Europa League.
How are Crystal Palace performing in the Europa League?
Crystal Palace are currently placed 21st in the 36-team Europa League standings, having won just one of their four matches in the competition. Their poor form has extended beyond the Premier League.
What is Crystal Palace's current Premier League standing?
Crystal Palace are at the bottom of the Premier League table, having secured only two wins from their opening 10 matches of the season. They have also conceded 24 goals, the highest total of any club in the division.
