Crystal Palace are on the verge of completing a deal to bring Lens manager Pierre Sage to Selhurst Park as their new head coach.
The south London club are finalising a financial package that will accelerate the 47-year-old Frenchman’s departure from the French club to take charge in the Premier League.
Sage becomes the leading candidate to replace Oliver Glasner, who departed Crystal Palace at the end of last season after a spell in charge.
The Frenchman joined Lens just 12 months ago and has already delivered remarkable results during his short time in charge at the club.
Sage led Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, while also guiding the club to their first Coupe de France triumph in their 120-year history.
His style of football is expected to appeal to Palace supporters, and his English is understood to be at a strong level, which should ease his integration into the Premier League.
Palace had been keen on former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, but those hopes were dashed when he signed a two-year deal with Liverpool earlier this month.
The Eagles also held discussions with Coventry manager Frank Lampard, former Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, and ex-Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Everton head coach Sean Dyche as potential alternatives.
With their Uefa Conference League triumph securing Europa League football for next season, Palace face a significant challenge in strengthening their squad this summer.
The future of France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta remains unresolved as he enters the final year of his contract, adding further uncertainty to the club’s planning ahead of a big campaign.
England midfielder Adam Wharton has also attracted interest from several other Premier League clubs, raising concerns among supporters about the club’s ability to retain key players.
Palace have moved to offer a new deal to midfielder Daichi Kamada, with the Japan international’s contract having expired at the end of the last campaign.
Sage’s appointment would represent an ambitious and progressive choice from Palace’s hierarchy as they look to build on recent success and compete across two competitions next season.
