Crystal Palace Turns to Pierre Sage as Iraola Nears Liverpool Talks

Crystal Palace’s search for a new head coach has taken a sharp turn towards France, with Lens boss Pierre Sage expected to hold talks with the club early this week as they step up efforts to replace Oliver Glasner.

Palace had set their sights on Andoni Iraola as the leading candidate, but that pursuit is now on the brink of collapse. The Bournemouth manager is set to begin formal discussions with Liverpool in the coming days over succeeding Arne Slot, who was sacked on Saturday, leaving the south London side braced for disappointment.

Palace, under chairman Steve Parish, had made a firm proposal to Iraola on the back of his Conference League triumph, hoping to tempt him to Selhurst Park as the cornerstone of their next project. Just as that move seemed within reach, Liverpool’s interest hardened and the landscape shifted.

With Iraola now appearing Anfield-bound, Palace have widened the net. Sage has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing alternatives on their shortlist, his work at Lens earning him a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest coaches.

BBC Sport first revealed Palace’s interest in the 47-year-old on 8 May, at a time when the hierarchy remained locked on prising Iraola away from Bournemouth. That focus has now loosened.

The club are weighing up several options and are determined not to be bounced into a rushed appointment.

Sage, for his part, is said to be open to the idea of moving to the Premier League. Talks with Palace officials are expected in the coming days, a meeting that could define the next phase of both his career and the club’s direction.