Crystal Palace close in on Pierre Sage after Lens boss made Liverpool shortlist

Crystal Palace are on the verge of appointing Pierre Sage as their new manager, with the Lens boss set to sign a three-year deal at Selhurst Park after the two clubs agreed a compensation package worth around €5 million (£4.3m).

Sage replaces Oliver Glasner, who left the club this summer at the end of his contract. The Austrian’s final act as Palace manager was guiding the Eagles to the UEFA Conference League title — a remarkable end to his tenure at Selhurst Park.

The 47-year-old Frenchman had been among a number of candidates considered for the role, alongside Coventry City’s Frank Lampard and Andoni Iraola, who ultimately took the Liverpool job. Sage’s move to south London marks his long-anticipated arrival in the Premier League after previously being linked with the Anfield position.

Sage built his reputation at Lyon, where he led the club to a sixth-place finish in his debut season before departing after just over a year in charge. He was appointed by Lens last summer and enjoyed a strong campaign, winning the Coupe de France and finishing second in Ligue 1.

Iraola, who was appointed Liverpool manager ahead of Sage, spoke enthusiastically about his own move to Merseyside after the announcement was confirmed. “Really excited because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it is a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world,” the former Bournemouth boss said. “The chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles — I think it cannot be more attractive than this.”

For Palace, the appointment of Sage represents a clear ambition to build on the Conference League triumph. His track record of developing competitive squads at Lyon and Lens, combined with his Coupe de France pedigree, suggests the Eagles are targeting a manager capable of sustaining their upward trajectory in both domestic and European competition.