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Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage on the touchline during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday September 20, 2026. (Image: PA)
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage on the touchline during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday September 20, 2026. (Image: PA)
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage on the touchline during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday September 20, 2026. (Image: PA)
Pierre Sage was optimistic about Crystal Palace as they prepared to return to action after the international break, hosting Nottingham Forest, with Oliver Glasner, the Eagles' most successful manager, now in the opposing dugout.
Prior to the international break, Crystal Palace put in a very strong performance to earn a 0-0 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Sage believed that the Eagles had shown signs of progress in the goalless draw, but needed to repeat the same thing in the future in order to turn that into a consensus.
“It was a good performance that showed we are finding a balance between attack and defence. We don't want to lose something while developing another part of our game.
“We defended well and created chances to win. I think we deserved more than a draw because we created a lot of opportunities. When you're able to create those chances while preventing your opponent from carrying out their plans, it's a good sign.
“It's only one game. We have to do it consistently in every match. In the previous Europa League game, we also didn't concede, although the opposition created some chances. That's another positive step, but we have to confirm our progress on Sunday.”
Though they currently sit in 15th with four points, a point and two positions behind Glasner’s Forest, who lost 1-0 at home to Coventry City prior to the international period, ahead of Sunday’s clash. Sage outlined his optimism and the importance of needing to continue improving the level daily in order to succeed.
“I'm always optimistic. I had a quiet life before, and then one day I received the call [from Palace] and everything changed!
“I really hope good things are ahead of me. I want to influence things and create opportunities. If I can bring everyone along with me, I'll do that.
“I think that's one of the most important things in life, especially when you're not achieving your objectives. You have to stay on your path and make adjustments, but you also have to show that you believe in yourself, your players, your club and your fans.
*“This isn't a bad period, but it's not the period we expected. We have to stay on our path, continue working and perhaps work even harder. We need to show that this is only one part of what can be a good season.*”
Glasner’s return to Selhurst Park is highly anticipated for a couple of reasons: firstly, because of the incredible success that he achieved during his two and a half seasons, which cemented his spot as one of the club’s all-time great managers; the other factor is the fact that he is the Forest manager now, and the rivalry between the two clubs has developed heavily over the past couple of seasons.
The Eagles will also be reunited with one of the standout players from Glasner’s tenure, Daniel Muñoz, who reunited with the Austrian at the City Ground during the summer transfer window.
Sage gave his respect to both Muñoz and Glasner, hoping that they would receive a positive reception from the Palace fans.
“I think everybody has to remember what this manager did here. They won three titles, which was a first for the club. That's part of the club's history, and what a chapter it was.
“I have great respect for him, just as I have great respect for Daniel Muñoz, who left us during the summer.
“When you leave a club, there can be some frustration. People may be upset because they like you. But you can still like someone when they're at another club if you remember what they did for you.
“That's why we should be respectful, and I hope he receives a good reception.”
When asked if he felt any pressure trying to live up to the legacy of Glasner, Sage was adamant that he wanted to create his own story at Crystal Palace.
“ I don't want to compare myself with him. I have great respect for what he achieved at the club and what he did before. I've known about him for a long time, not personally, but as a manager.
“His time was his time. Now it's my period, and it's up to me to show what we can achieve together. I don't want to say I need to do better or win one more point. His achievements are very high, but this is a different period.
“The most important thing is to give your best in the context you're working in. One day I'll leave, and I just want the fans to have a good impression and positive feelings about our time here.”
Looking back on the early part of his tenure at Selhurst Park, Sage was honest about Palace’s performances, particularly in the Premier League, though the Frenchman was convinced that the Eagles would continue to get better.
“If we analyse the situation as the table shows it, we've improved our play and a lot of different aspects of our game. But we haven't been as efficient as we expected, because we haven't scored enough points.
“In the two cup competitions, things have gone well. Now we know that the Premier League is the main objective, and we have to handle that better.
“The changes we've made during matches, and the way we've played towards the end of this period, have shown a good way forward. I think it reflects who we are and what kind of team we want to be.
“Now we have to show that level in every game. If we can do that, I'm sure we'll become more competitive.”