Crystal Palace confirm Pierre Sage as new head coach, replacing Oliver Glasner on three-year deal at Selhurst Park
By Becky Hart
Updated 15/06/2026 at 19:00 GMT+1
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Pierre Sage has been confirmed as Crystal Palace's new head coach, with the now former Lens boss taking over from Oliver Glasner on a three-year deal at the Premier League club.
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Palace were reportedly interested in Andoni Iraola, but since Liverpool have secured his services, the London side were forced to look elsewhere.
They were quick to swoop in and secure Sage's signature, the Frenchman having previously managed Lyon before taking Lens to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1, behind European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Sage had been at Lens since 2025 and has signed a three-year deal at Crystal Palace.
"It’s amazing to be here at Crystal Palace," Sage told the club's official website. "I am excited by the history of the club, and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That’s why we come here with a lot of ambition.
"The dynamic here is really positive, and we are in this mindset too. We won last year - and we want to continue in this way, in a new club, a new project, but with a lot of winning habits.
"We want to give our best every day for the team, for the club, for the people, and especially for the fans, because when you love a club in England, it’s for all your life.
"We want to give the fans what they want. We want to make the fans smile, to be proud of the team, and to be proud of the club - so we will give our best for you, and we are together."
Palace chair Steve Parish said: ”I am tremendously excited to welcome Pierre, who joins us off the back of a trophy-winning season at Lens as well as a fabulous second-place finish in Ligue 1.
”As we move into another European campaign off the back of our success in Leipzig, I know he will give everything to target more success for our fantastic football club.”
Palace have been on the hunt for a new head coach since Glasner opted not to renew his contract, which expires on June 30.
Glasner took the team to a first European title last season with victory over Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final. They finished 15th in the Premier League.
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Sage, who was named Ligue 1 Manager of the Year in 2025/26, will guide Palace into the UEFA Europa League for the first time next season.
"It’s a positive pressure because when you win, you want to win more," he added.
"In Europe, I played in the Europa League two years ago and it was really exciting. You have good games with a lot of intensity. If you give your best, like you [Palace] did last year, you are able to do things that other people can't think about.
"With a good surprise, you can make a big party at the end of the season!"
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