Crystal Palace are considering former Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna as a potential replacement for Pierre Sage.
Crystal Palace are exploring replacements for manager Pierre Sage following a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, with Kieran McKenna among candidates under consideration.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish and the club’s hierarchy are assessing their options following growing concerns about the team’s direction. Although no final decision has been made on Sage’s future, intermediaries are already presenting potential candidates to the South London club.
Sage arrived at Selhurst Park in the summer after leaving Lens, having been appointed as Oliver Glasner’s successor following an extensive managerial search. However, Sage’s transition has failed to bring the consistency Palace expected.
Brighton scored three goals in the opening ten minutes at the Amex Stadium, inflicting a devastating loss that has intensified pressure on the Frenchman and raised serious questions about his progress.
Sage has managed only two Premier League victories since taking charge, against Fulham and Oliver Glasner’s Nottingham Forest. Crystal Palace currently sit 14th in the table, with a midweek defeat to Lyon in Europa League adding to their recent difficulties. These results show why the Brighton loss has triggered an immediate review of alternatives.
Despite continuing to publicly support their manager, the South London club’s decision to explore alternatives signals growing uncertainty. Fixtures against Besiktas and Newcastle United are now critical to Sage’s tenure.
McKenna could replace Sage at Selhurst Park
McKenna is one of the candidates who could appeal to Crystal Palace, having previously appeared on their radar. The 40-year-old earned considerable recognition for his work at Ipswich Town, guiding the club through successive promotions from League One to the Premier League before leaving Portman Road in the summer.
He led them in 222 matches and averaged 1.70 points per game, which is quite an impressive record given the state in which he took charge. Parish holds McKenna in high regard, making him a potential option if Crystal Palace decide to make another managerial change. However, the former United assistant is not the Eagles’ sole candidate.
For now, Palace have not committed to a managerial change, but the Brighton & Hove Albion defeat has increased the urgency of that decision. Sage’s position depends on results in the Besiktas and Newcastle fixtures, the first true test of whether Parish will commit to his long-term vision or move swiftly to a replacement.
