Crystal Palace are now closing in on appointing RC Lens head coach Pierre Sage as their new manager.
Pierre Sage has done an impressive job with RC Lens, and he helped the team push for the Ligue 1 title in the recently-concluded campaign. They finished second in the table behind PSG. The 47-year-old also masterminded the Coupe de France triumph.
Despite working with limited resources, Sage managed to get the best out of his players, and they played an exciting brand of football under him as well. According to a report by TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace have now agreed on compensation with the French outfit for the 47-year-old manager.
After the agreement, he is set to be unveiled as the new manager of the South London club this week. Crystal Palace will pay €5 million to RC Lens to secure his services, and Sage will sign a three-year deal with the English club.
Crystal Palace are coming off an outstanding season in which they won the UEFA Europa Conference League. Oliver Glasner has been outstanding for them, and he has helped them win the FA Cup and the Community Shield over the past year as well. Replacing him will be a tricky job, but the 47-year-old Lens manager certainly has the pedigree to succeed at Crystal Palace.
Pierre Sage could be the ideal alternative to Glasner
Both Glasner and Sage prefer a back three formation, and there is unlikely to be too many structural changes at Crystal Palace for the upcoming season. The Eagles have quality players in their squad, and they need a manager who can get the best out of them. Sage has certainly proven his quality in France, and he has the ability to maximise the potential of the Crystal Palace players as well.
The Frenchman’s attacking philosophy and directness could prove to be a good fit for Crystal Palace players. The Eagles have players like Brennan Johnson and Ismaila Sarr, who thrive in quick transitions. Sage prefers high-intensity, pressing football and advocates quick transitions from defence to attack. His system could get the best out of the Crystal Palace attackers.
It will be interesting to see if he can help plug the gaps in the team and improve the Eagles further next season after reportedly pushing for a sumer deal. They will be competing in European football, and they need quality players at their disposal. If Palace can properly support the manager with the right signings, they could have another successful campaign.
