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Crystal Palace Appoints Pierre Sage as New Manager After Oliver Glasners Departure
Crystal Palace confirmed the appointment of Frenchman Pierre Sage as head coach on 15 June 2026, just days after Oliver Glasner’s contract expired on 30 June. Sage signed a three‑year deal that will keep him at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2029.
The move came after a brief interlude when the club had entertained Spanish coach Andoni Iraola as a potential successor. Iraola ultimately accepted a role at Liverpool, leaving Palace with a vacancy that the board filled by bringing in the former Lens manager.
Sage, 47, was released from his contract with Ligue 1 side RC Lens after the club agreed on a compensation package with Palace. Lens finished second in the 2025‑26 Ligue 1 season, six points behind champions Paris Saint‑Germain, and secured the club’s first major trophy by winning the Coupe de France. Sage’s tenure at Lens was noted for an attacking philosophy and a back‑three defensive setup—an approach that Palace’s previous manager, Oliver Glasner, had successfully adopted.
Glasner, who guided Palace to its first major trophies—the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League—chose not to renew his contract when it expired. He steered the club through one of its most successful periods, ending the 2025‑26 season with a European trophy and a domestic cup win.
In a statement on the club’s website, Sage expressed enthusiasm about taking over at Palace. "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," he said. He added that the club’s dynamic was positive and that the team had won the previous season, hoping to build on that success.
Chairman Steve Parish welcomed the new manager, noting Sage’s recent trophy‑winning season at Lens and his second‑place finish in Ligue 1. "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’s back‑room staff will be announced later, but the club has indicated that it is looking to maintain the attacking philosophy that has become a hallmark of Palace’s recent play. The club’s European campaign, which saw them lift the Conference League trophy, was built on a disciplined defensive structure and a quick counter‑attack—attributes that Sage has demonstrated at Lens.
The appointment follows a period of speculation about potential replacements. Palace had initially approached Iraola, but his move to Liverpool left the club with a gap that was filled by Sage. Bringing in a manager with a proven track record in European competition and domestic cup success aligns with Palace’s ambition to sustain its recent achievements.
Sage’s social media farewell to Lens was emotional, reflecting the strong bond he had built with the club’s supporters. He thanked the fans for their support and expressed a desire to continue the club’s legacy.
With the new manager in place, Palace will prepare for the 2026‑27 Premier League season, which will begin in August. The club’s recent success in Europe and domestic cups has raised expectations among supporters and analysts alike. Palace’s next challenge will be to translate the momentum from the Conference League triumph into consistent league performances and to build on the foundation laid by Glasner.
The appointment of Pierre Sage marks a new chapter for Crystal Palace. The club will look to maintain its competitive edge in the Premier League while aiming to build on the European and domestic successes achieved in the previous season. The next few months will be crucial as the squad adapts to Sage’s tactics and as the club prepares for the upcoming fixtures.
As Palace enters the new season, the focus will be on how quickly the team can integrate Sage’s philosophy, how the players respond to his leadership, and whether the club can continue its upward trajectory in both domestic and European competitions.
The move came after a brief interlude when the club had entertained Spanish coach Andoni Iraola as a potential successor. Iraola ultimately accepted a role at Liverpool, leaving Palace with a vacancy that the board filled by bringing in the former Lens manager.
Sage, 47, was released from his contract with Ligue 1 side RC Lens after the club agreed on a compensation package with Palace. Lens finished second in the 2025‑26 Ligue 1 season, six points behind champions Paris Saint‑Germain, and secured the club’s first major trophy by winning the Coupe de France. Sage’s tenure at Lens was noted for an attacking philosophy and a back‑three defensive setup—an approach that Palace’s previous manager, Oliver Glasner, had successfully adopted.
Glasner, who guided Palace to its first major trophies—the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Conference League—chose not to renew his contract when it expired. He steered the club through one of its most successful periods, ending the 2025‑26 season with a European trophy and a domestic cup win.
In a statement on the club’s website, Sage expressed enthusiasm about taking over at Palace. "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," he said. He added that the club’s dynamic was positive and that the team had won the previous season, hoping to build on that success.
Chairman Steve Parish welcomed the new manager, noting Sage’s recent trophy‑winning season at Lens and his second‑place finish in Ligue 1. "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’s back‑room staff will be announced later, but the club has indicated that it is looking to maintain the attacking philosophy that has become a hallmark of Palace’s recent play. The club’s European campaign, which saw them lift the Conference League trophy, was built on a disciplined defensive structure and a quick counter‑attack—attributes that Sage has demonstrated at Lens.
The appointment follows a period of speculation about potential replacements. Palace had initially approached Iraola, but his move to Liverpool left the club with a gap that was filled by Sage. Bringing in a manager with a proven track record in European competition and domestic cup success aligns with Palace’s ambition to sustain its recent achievements.
Sage’s social media farewell to Lens was emotional, reflecting the strong bond he had built with the club’s supporters. He thanked the fans for their support and expressed a desire to continue the club’s legacy.
With the new manager in place, Palace will prepare for the 2026‑27 Premier League season, which will begin in August. The club’s recent success in Europe and domestic cups has raised expectations among supporters and analysts alike. Palace’s next challenge will be to translate the momentum from the Conference League triumph into consistent league performances and to build on the foundation laid by Glasner.
The appointment of Pierre Sage marks a new chapter for Crystal Palace. The club will look to maintain its competitive edge in the Premier League while aiming to build on the European and domestic successes achieved in the previous season. The next few months will be crucial as the squad adapts to Sage’s tactics and as the club prepares for the upcoming fixtures.
As Palace enters the new season, the focus will be on how quickly the team can integrate Sage’s philosophy, how the players respond to his leadership, and whether the club can continue its upward trajectory in both domestic and European competitions.
