Pierre Sage has promised to replicate Oliver Glasner's trophy success after being confirmed as Crystal Palace's new head coach on a three-year contract. The 47-year-old Frenchman replaces Glasner, who left the Eagles at the end of the 2025-26 season after two and a half years in charge, having won the FA Cup in 2025, the Community Shield and the Conference League.
Sage arrives from Lens, where he spent 12 months and was named Ligue 1 manager of the year after leading the club to a second-placed finish and their first Coupe de France triumph in 120 years. He previously spent 14 months at Lyon, initially as interim head coach, guiding them to Europa League qualification in 2024-25.
“Pierre Sage appointed Crystal Palace head coach on three-year deal, promising to match Oliver Glasner's trophy success.”
"Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same," Sage said. "That's why we come here with a lot of ambition. 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."
Palace had pursued several alternatives, including former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola — who joined Liverpool earlier this month — as well as Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna and Sean Dyche. Sage's style of football is likely to appeal to supporters, with Lens built on aggressive pressing and rapid transitions. Opta data from the 2025-26 season shows Lens made 426 high turnovers, producing 69 shots and seven goals from those moments, along with 65 direct attacks and 55 fast breaks. They averaged 51.9% possession, prioritising pressure and regains over prolonged spells on the ball.
Sage will be joined at Selhurst Park by assistant coach Jamal Alioui, his number two at Lens. The pair inherit a Palace side that won the Conference League last season, securing Europa League football for Sage's debut campaign. However, the summer presents challenges: the future of France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta remains unresolved as he enters the final year of his contract, and England midfielder Adam Wharton has been linked with several other Premier League clubs. Palace have also offered a new deal to Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada, whose contract expired at the end of last season.