Crystal Palace has confirmed that three members of Pierre Sage's backroom staff have left the club following the manager's firing, as Thomas Frank is linked with the job
Pierre Sage has been followed out of the door by his backroom staff
Pierre Sage has been followed out of the door by his backroom staff(Image: Getty)
Crystal Palace has dismissed Pierre Sage, with Thomas Frank emerging as the frontrunner to take charge at Selhurst Park. The club has confirmed that three members of Sage's coaching team have also departed alongside the Frenchman.
Chairman Steve Parish has brought Sage's short spell in south London to an end following a fourth successive Premier League loss which saw them drop to the foot of the table for the first time in nearly nine years.
The Eagles last occupied bottom spot back in December 2017, and their 3-1 home reverse against Liverpool on Sunday intensified speculation surrounding the manager's future.
His exit has now been made official, with Frank amongst the leading contenders to replace him, while Sean Dyche has also been touted as a potential appointment.
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Palace released a statement on Thursday which read: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as manager. Three members of Pierre's coaching staff - Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard - have also left the club.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future. An update on the process of appointing a new Manager will be provided in due course."
Former Tottenham manager Frank has been out of work since his departure from the north London outfit in February, while Dyche left his role at Nottingham Forest during the same month. Sage had only assumed control at Palace in June, replacing Oliver Glasner, who had steered the Eagles to remarkable achievements by securing the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League.
However, it has been a difficult spell for the Frenchman, who now becomes the second Premier League boss to be dismissed this season, mere hours after Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick.
Thomas Frank has been linked with the job
Thomas Frank has been linked with the job(Image: BO AMSTRUP, Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
Sage managed victory in merely two of his 10 Premier League matches, while also struggling in the Europa League, recording just one win and two draws from their four league phase encounters.
He did, nevertheless, guide Palace into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with a Selhurst Park fixture against Sunderland arranged for next month.
Speaking after the weekend loss to Liverpool, Sage insisted it had not gone "from the dream to the nightmare".
In what would eventually become his final press conference at Palace, Sage remained steadfast in his resolve to drag the club back up the standings.
He said: "I'm not feeling this. I'm just in my job, and focusing on my job, and what I have to do to find the solution.
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"I was really happy to sign here, to join this club. Especially for the moment, the results are not at this level, and I know I have to push more on those things, especially in our way of playing, to make that move."