Former Lens coach arrives at south London club after Oliver Glasner secured three trophies in two years
Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as manager to replace the tough act of Oliver Glasner next season.
The 47-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Selhurst Park after guiding Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and lifting the French Cup last season.
Sage succeeds Glasner, who won three trophies in two years at a club that had never before won a major trophy, and whose departure prompted Palace to explore several candidates before settling on the French coach.
Sage’s preference for a 3-4-2-1 system, the same system that brought success under Glasner, is understood to have been a significant factor in the club’s decision.
The manager arrives with a big reputation in France and will be joined by his assistant, former Morocco defender Jamal Alioui. Palace believe continuity in style will help preserve the momentum generated by last season’s Conference League triumph, which secured further European football for next season.
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The club have also signalled their intention to resist interest in their key players such as Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz during the summer transfer window, while assurances were made to Sage that he would backed in the transfer window.
Palace are targeting additions in central midfield and defence as they seek to strengthen a squad that will face the demands of the Premier League as well as higher-tier continental football after qualifying for the Europa League.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is the club’s leading midfield target, although Everton are also pursuing the England Under-21 international and are understood to be ahead in the race.
Steve Parish, the club’s co-chair, described Sage as a manager capable of building on their recent progress as a club.
“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.”
Sage said: “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.”
