Crystal Palace are considering Lens manager Pierre Sage as the leading candidate to replace Oliver Glasner, with talks already taking place between the Premier League club and the French coach.
Palace have stepped up their search after Glasner informed the club he wanted to leave following interest from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The Austrian guided Palace to one of the most successful periods in the club’s recent history, including an FA Cup triumph and qualification for European competition.
Sage has emerged as the preferred option after impressing with Lens in Ligue 1. The 46-year-old led the French side to a second-place finish this season and earned praise for his attacking style and tactical flexibility.
The Palace hierarchy are believed to see Sage as a coach capable of continuing the progress made under Glasner while developing younger players within the squad.
However, Palace are also keeping alternative options open. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola remains highly regarded by the club, although Liverpool are pushing strongly to appoint the Spaniard following Arne Slot’s departure to Bayern Munich.
Sage only joined Lens last year after leaving Lyon, where he previously took charge on an interim basis before earning the role permanently. His work in France has attracted growing attention from clubs across Europe, especially after Lens secured a Champions League place for next season.
A move to the Premier League would mark the biggest step of Sage’s managerial career so far, with Palace hoping to avoid a lengthy transition period ahead of their European campaign.
Palace officials are expected to continue discussions in the coming days as they look to finalise a decision before pre-season preparations begin.