Sacked by Crystal Palace, Pierre Sage set to rejoin RC Lens

Pierre Sage lasted only a few months in the Premier League. Arriving at Crystal Palace during the summer after his departure from RC Lens, the 47-year-old French manager was sacked following a seventh defeat in ten matches, on Sunday against Liverpool (1-3).

His return to Ligue 1 could happen very quickly, and in familiar surroundings. According to Foot Mercato, RC Lens quickly made Pierre Sage their absolute priority to take over the helm of the Sang et Or. Jean-Louis Leca and Benjamin Parrot, responsible for recruitment and sporting direction, concentrated their efforts on this option after also studying the profiles of Didier Digard and Habib Beye, the latter having put himself forward as a candidate. The option was validated by president Joseph Oughourlian.

Negotiations reportedly moved at great speed. Still according to Foot Mercato, a verbal agreement has already been reached between Pierre Sage and the Lens board. Keen to return to an environment he knows perfectly, the manager proved particularly accommodating, notably accepting a lower salary than what the club had offered him in the contract extension he had declined before joining England.

Pierre Sage had left Lens this summer with a remarkable record: a Coupe de France title and a second-place finish in Ligue 1, the best ranking in the club’s recent history. His potential return comes at a time of sporting urgency for the Sang et Or, who are struggling to find their rhythm at the start of the season. The main obstacles to a final agreement now appear to have been cleared.