bbc.co.uk

Palace set to hold talks with Lens boss Sage

Pierre Sage pictured on the touchline with LensGetty Images

Sami Mokbel

Senior football correspondent

Lens boss Pierre Sage is expected to hold talks withCrystal Palace during the early part of this week as the Premier League club look to appoint Oliver Glasner's replacement.

The Eagles are set for disappointment in their efforts to hand the job to first-choice candidate Andoni Iraola, who is to begin formal talks with Liverpool in the coming days to replace Arne Slot who was sacked on Saturday.

The Conference League winners had made a firm proposal to Iraola but now that he appears to be heading elsewhere, Palace are now monitoring alternative options.

The south London club, led by chairman Steve Parish, will not rush into a decision regarding their next head coach with the club now examining a number of options.

Among those is Sage, who is developing a reputation as one of Europe's brightest coaches.

BBC Sport first revealed Palace's initial interest in the 47-year-old on 8 May but at the time the club's hierarchy were focused on trying to appoint Iraola from Bournemouth.

The Lens boss, who is said to be open to joining, is expected to meet Palace officials in the coming days.

U-turns, tension and trophies - inside 12 glorious months of Glasner

Crystal Palace win Conference League with superb victory over Rayo

Sage took over as Lens manager in June last year and led the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1. In addition, Lens beat Nice to win the Coupe de France for the first time in their 120-year history.

It is understood Palace are keeping an open mind to their managerial search and want to take their time before deciding their new first-choice target.

Glasner, who led the club to the FA Cup last season and the Conference League this term, announced in January he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract this summer.

Coventry boss Frank Lampard, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller, ex-Spurs boss Thomas Frank and former Burnley and Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche are also being considered with a number having already held talks.

Lampard has key admirers at Selhurst Park and is believed to be aware of Palace's interest.

The former Chelsea midfielder and manager has enhanced his reputation at Coventry, leading the Sky Blues to the Championship title and Premier League promotion.

But Lampard currently has 12 months left on his deal and releasing him from Coventry is likely to cost a significant sum which could create a stumbling block.

Similarly, McKenna, who has led Ipswich back to the top-flight, is on big wages at Portman Road and is believed to have a release clause worth a minimum of £5m.

Frank, Toppmoller and Dyche are all without a club and would be more straightforward to appoint.