Crystal Palace's Pierre Sage on the Hot Seat After Liverpool Loss

Crystal Palace's manager Pierre Sage is teetering on the edge of the sack, just five months into his tenure. After a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, the Eagles find themselves languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table as the international break approaches. This latest loss marks Palace's fourth straight defeat in the league, leaving them with only two wins from their first ten matches. Internal discussions are reportedly underway to assess Sage's future and consider potential successors. Among those in the frame is Thomas Frank, the former Tottenham and Brentford boss, who is seen as a frontrunner. Sean Dyche, the ex-Nottingham Forest manager, is also generating interest, both of whom are currently available for immediate employment. Palace's struggles are evident, with just seven points from their ten league games and the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded a staggering 24 goals. Additionally, they sit 21st in the Europa League, barely scraping by with one win from four matches. If Sage is shown the door, he could become the Premier League’s first managerial casualty of the season. He was brought in on a three-year contract last June following Oliver Glasner's departure, who had led the team to an FA Cup title and a Europa Conference League victory. Sage, reflecting on the loss to Liverpool, remarked, "It's not from the dream to the nightmare. I'm just in my job, focusing on what I need to do to find a solution. The results aren’t where they need to be, and I know I have to work harder on our style of play." Previously, Sage had a successful stint with Lens, guiding them to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and their first-ever French Cup victory. However, he has struggled to replicate that success at Palace. The team's winless streak, which began after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton, has left fans and management questioning his future. Sage admitted he felt "shame" after that loss and was uncertain about how much time he had to turn things around. Despite the pressure, some sympathy exists behind the scenes. Injuries have severely impacted his plans, with key players like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr missing due to fitness issues and personal circumstances. Three additional losses have followed, including a match against Liverpool where Palace hit the bar and had a goal disallowed. "We have to be more competitive," Sage emphasized. "We create chances and expect results, but we aren’t delivering." Crystal Palace will look to change their fortunes when they face Coventry in their next Premier League match on November 21, following the international break.