Crystal Palace will favour appointing a “free agent” manager as a replacement for Pierre Sage rather than paying a hefty compensation fee.
According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are in favour of avoiding a compensation payment for their next manager, who would replace Pierre Sage. The Frenchman has come under increasing pressure due to poor results, with several “free agents” featuring on the club’s shortlist of potential replacements.
Sage arrived at Crystal Palace with a strong reputation from his time at RC Lens, where he guided the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. His defensive work with the team was a major factor in the South London club appointing the Frenchman, although things have gone sour following a series of poor results.
The heavy defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion a few weeks ago is considered the tipping point for Sage’s position in the Selhurst Park dugout. The 2-2 draw away to Besiktas provided some hope, although the 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United has placed fresh pressure on the Frenchman.
Crystal Palace are already in the process of identifying the right candidate, with several prominent names and some less prominent options being considered for the role. Among the latter, Robbie Keane has been linked, with the former Tottenham attacker having limited managerial experience and even less in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace to avoid paying a compensation fee
The priority for Palace at present is to avoid paying a significant compensation fee for their next manager. As things stand, the club are prioritising a “free agent” to become their new manager, which could narrow down the options and exclude the likes of Kieran McKenna, with the club interested in the former Ipswich boss, as it could cost around £8 million to take him out of his contract at Portman Road.
There are other options that would not require a compensation payment, including Sean Dyche. The former Everton and Nottingham Forest manager is currently out of work and could be tempted to take over at Palace. The club are also interested in Thomas Frank, who has been without a job since leaving Tottenham last season.
Former Wolves manager Rob Edwards is also a target, and like the other two, he is currently out of work and could be appointed without paying a compensation fee. At present, Crystal Palace have yet to make a firm decision on Sage, although everything outside the club in the media points to an imminent sacking of the Frenchman.