Looking for the exit: Pierre Sage is on his way out at Crystal Palace just 150 days since his appointment as manager was announced
It was as if Crystal Palace were trying to avoid being the first Premier League club to sack their manager this season.
So after Manchester United this morning finally ended Michael Carrick’s time in charge at Old Trafford, a couple of hours later news came from Selhurst Park that Pierre Sage’s time was up, too.
Just 129 days since he started in the job in July on a three-year contract, Sage leaves Palace after 17 games in all competitions, and with the club bottom of the Prem table with seven points from 10 games.
Selhurst has not been a happy place this season, on the pitch nor in the stands, and Sage’s fate seemed sealed even a couple of weeks ago, when Brighton hammered Palace 5-0. If the football rumour-mill is to be believed (health warning: it rarely is), Sage and at least one of his backroom team weren’t much liked by the players, either.
Sage was certainly doomed after the second of Liverpool’s three goals went in on Sunday. Which is why many Eagles fans were asking: “What’s taking so long?”
We are into the fourth day of the 10-day international break, giving much-reduced time for any incoming coach to arrive and get to know his squad – albeit that 12 senior Palace players are away with their national sides, at least until Jørgen Strand Larsen’s injury on duty with Norway – an injury that only adds to Palace’s woes.
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The club statement, when it came just before 1pm, was terse in the extreme.
The 81 words were: “Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as manager.
“Three members of Pierre’s coaching staff – Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard – have also left the club.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in south London, and wish them well for the future.
“An update on the process of appointing a new manager will be provided in due course.”
Friendless: Pierre Sage was not much liked by Palace fans
That incoming coach is expected to be Thomas Frank, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Tottenham in February, and is known to have held talks with Palace in the summer.
The decision by chairman Steve Parish and the board to sack Sage was taken on Sunday night.
The answer to the fans’ question of “What’s taking so long?” is the discussions over termination settlements for Sage and his staff. Palace are hopeful that they might reduce the compensation paid to Sage if he walks straight into his old job at former club, Lens, who sacked their coach, Yannick Cahuzac, on Tuesday. Palace paid more than £4million to buy him out of his Lens contract when he replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer.
Sage fell out with the board over their failure to sign adequate replacements for Marc Guéhi (£20million to Manchester City in January) and Maxence Lacroix (£52million to Chelsea, July), leaving a much-weakened defence.
But Parish was unhappy Sage’s use of the players he did have at his disposal, including France under-21 international Jaydee Canvot and England midfielder Adam Wharton.
Sunday’s defeat was Palace’s fifth in an eight-match run. Palace have conceded the most goals in the division: 24. In their first season in the Europa League, they sit 21st in the 36-team table.
Their next league fixture is at relegation rivals Coventry on November 21.
Read more: FT reports: Palace’s US billionaire owners look to sell shares
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