Under Pressure at Crystal Palace, Pierre Sage Becomes Lens's Top Target to Replace Cahuzac

Pierre Sage is under scrutiny at Crystal Palace, the Premier League’s bottom-placed side, and his position on the Eagles’ bench after the international break is far from secure. Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche are being presented as the main candidates to succeed him.

As his English adventure falters, two of his former French clubs are simultaneously searching for a manager: Lyon and Lens. His name has circulated in both cases, but with very different outcomes.

Lens Makes Sage Their Priority

At RC Lens, Pierre Sage’s return is a serious option. According to available information, president Joseph Oughourlian has even made him his priority to succeed Yannick Cahuzac, who was sidelined this week. One question remains: will Sage still be under contract with Crystal Palace when Lens needs to make a decision?

Lyon Chooses Vicens and Closes the Door

At Olympique Lyonnais, the matter is settled. Sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean was explicit with L’Équipe: “Pierre is under contract. So no, it wasn’t really an option.” OL could have waited to see how the situation evolved in England, but the Lyon board preferred to act quickly by appointing Carlos Vicens.

“Carlos’s profile was right at the top of our list,” Louis-Jean explained. “Of course, it was a possibility for next summer, if we hadn’t been able to extend Paulo [Fonseca, who left for Sporting Portugal]. Carlos matched what we were looking for in terms of playing philosophy and also in terms of approach. We wanted a young, ambitious coach with hunger, who knows how to develop young players—he ticked many boxes.” Vicens is 43 years old.

The profile Lyon was seeking is not unlike Sage’s own, which makes the Lyonnais decision not to wait all the more significant. The French manager’s immediate future will likely be decided between Crystal Palace and Lens.