Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new head coach, signing the Frenchman on a three-year deal.
The 47-year-old arrives at Selhurst Park after an impressive spell at Lens, where he was named Ligue 1 manager of the year.
Sage replaces Oliver Glasner, who departed the Eagles at the end of the 2025-26 season following two and a half years in south London.
The Austrian left behind a remarkable legacy, having guided Palace to three trophies during his tenure at the club.
Glasner’s achievements included the FA Cup in 2025, the Community Shield, and the Conference League title last season, the first major honours in the club’s history.
Sage spent 12 months at Lens before joining Palace, leading the club to a second-place Ligue 1 finish and their first Coupe de France triumph in 120 years.
Prior to Lens, he spent 14 months as head coach of Lyon, initially on an interim basis, guiding them to Europa League qualification in 2024-25.
Palace had reportedly considered several other candidates, including Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Sean Dyche, and Andoni Iraola, who is now at Liverpool.
Sage will be accompanied at the club by Jamal Alioui, his assistant coach from his time at Lens.
Their arrival comes at an exciting moment, with Palace set to compete in the Europa League next season following their Conference League triumph.
“Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same,” said Sage after his appointment was confirmed.
“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,” the new Palace boss added.
Sage’s Lens side were built around aggressive pressing and rapid attacking transitions, offering Palace fans a glimpse of his footballing philosophy.
Lens made 426 high turnovers during the 2025-26 season, converting those moments into 69 shots and seven goals from high-pressing situations alone.
The side also produced 65 direct attacks and 55 fast breaks last season, underlining a clear preference for speed over slow ball circulation.
Lens averaged 51.9% possession in 2025-26, but their identity was shaped less by holding the ball and more by what they did the instant they won it back.
It is a direct, high-energy style that Palace supporters can expect Sage to bring to the Premier League next season.
