Crystal Palace have sacked manager Pierre Sage, the club confirmed in an official statement on Thursday afternoon. The announcement followed a media exclusive on Monday that had reported the move, and three days later it became reality. The club said three members of Sage's coaching staff, Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard, have also left Selhurst Park, and it thanked Sage and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London.
Sage's departure came as Palace sat rock bottom of the Premier League with only three points, and after a fourth successive defeat. He had made the switch to Selhurst Park in the summer to replace Oliver Glasner, who had moved to Nottingham Forest, and had signed a three-year contract. He lasted just 16 games in all competitions and claimed seven points from a possible 30. His sacking came just hours after Manchester United removed Michael Carrick, making him the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season, and international breaks are a common time for such changes because they give clubs a window to appoint a replacement before league games resume.S1S2
Attention now turns to who will take over, with the club saying an update on the appointment process will follow in due course. Thomas Frank, the former Tottenham and Brentford manager who was sacked by Spurs in February, is the overwhelming favourite, and betting sites have suspended betting on him. Widespread media reporting has linked him with the post. Sean Dyche, who previously kept Burnley in the top flight and avoided relegation with Everton, is also reportedly in the running, as is Danish manager Jens Berthel Askou, who has made a steady start at Toulouse, sitting 12th in Ligue 1 with 13 points from 10 matches.S1S2
Whoever is appointed will first face a relegation battle, with the next fixture on Saturday 21 November against Frank Lampard's Coventry City. Palace sold several key players last summer, including Maxence Lacroix, Brennan Johnson and Daniel Munoz, and star men Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr have been struck by injuries.S2
