Pierre Sage has agreed to become the new manager of Crystal Palace following his departure from RC Lens, the clubs confirmed on Tuesday. The 47-year-old French coach, recently named Ligue 1’s best manager at the UNFP awards, will sign a contract with Palace until 2029, with an additional optional year. The move comes after a breakdown in relations with Lens earlier this week, bringing an end to his tenure with the club.
According to L’Équipe, the transfer will see Lens receive a fee of approximately €5 million. Sage still had two years remaining on his contract with Lens, whom he led to victory in the Coupe de France. His salary at Crystal Palace is expected to be four times greater than his previous earnings in France, reportedly reaching a gross monthly income of €100,000.
Sage’s appointment at Crystal Palace marks his first foray into the Premier League, a long-held ambition for the manager. He joined Lens in February 2023, initially as an interim manager, before being appointed permanently later that year. Under his guidance, Lens secured a Coupe de France title and enjoyed a successful Ligue 1 campaign, finishing in a Champions League qualifying position.
Crystal Palace, who recently won the Europa Conference League, are looking to build on their recent success and establish themselves as a consistent force in the Premier League. The club are hoping Sage’s tactical acumen and motivational skills will be instrumental in achieving these goals. Lens, meanwhile, are expected to turn their attention to appointing a replacement, with Olivier Pantaloni emerging as a potential candidate, according to reports.
