Cherki hails Pierre Sage as 'tactical genius' amid Liverpool manager search

Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki has described RC Lens head coach Pierre Sage as a “tactical genius” — praise that carries fresh relevance as Liverpool search for a replacement for the sacked Arne Slot. Sage is among the candidates on Liverpool’s reported shortlist, alongside former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola and Sebastian Hoeness.

Slot was dismissed after two seasons at Anfield. His debut campaign produced a Premier League title, but Liverpool finished fifth last season, securing Champions League football only on the final day. The club’s board moved quickly to compile a list of potential successors.

Sage, 47, is currently in charge at RC Lens, where he guided the club to their first-ever Coupe de France trophy and a Ligue 1 runners-up finish that earned a Champions League place. Before that, he steadied a turbulent Lyon squad — the same environment in which Cherki developed as a young player.

Cherki was effusive about Sage’s man-management when speaking to L’Equipe and Prime Video Sport France during his time at Lyon. “The coach brought back the serenity we needed so much,” he said. “He knows how to talk to players, he understands how we feel. With him, there is no pretending. He gives us freedom while establishing a very clear framework. It’s exactly what we needed.”

In a separate interview with RMC Sport, Cherki credited Sage with drawing out his best performances. “He knows how to push my buttons, he knows how to talk to me to get the best out of me,” he said. “He gives me the keys to create on the pitch, but he also reminds me of my defensive duties. It is a relationship based on an indispensable mutual trust.”

Cherki went further when speaking to Le Progrès, addressing Sage’s tactical preparation directly. “People forget just how much of a tactical genius he is,” he said. “Every match is prepared down to the millimetre. We know exactly where the spaces are, what we have to do with the ball. He makes football simpler for us.”

Despite the glowing endorsement, Iraola is understood to be the leading candidate for the Anfield role. The Spaniard left Bournemouth this summer after steering the south-coast club into European competition for the first time in their history.

Liverpool’s managerial search comes against a backdrop of dressing-room unrest. Mohamed Salah’s public falling-out with Slot dominated the latter part of the season, and the Egyptian forward is widely expected to leave the club this summer.