Crystal Palace face Pierre Sage decision as Thomas Frank emerges as leading candidate

Crystal Palace’s slide has turned into a managerial crossroads. Sunday’s defeat by Liverpool left them bottom of the Premier League for the first time since December 2017, and Pierre Sage is under mounting pressure after four consecutive league losses. Thomas Frank is emerging as the main candidate to replace him, according to the verified report.

Sage was appointed in mid-June to replace Oliver Glasner, but the strain has grown since Palace’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton last month. The latest setback brought no clear sign of a recovery, and the club now face a decision over whether to give the Frenchman more time or change direction.

Liverpool’s quality made the task harder. Alexis Mac Allister headed them in front late in the first half from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, then Florian Wirtz doubled the lead after Bradley Barcola’s low pass. Alexander Isak added another late on. Palace’s response was limited: Eddie Nketiah scored a late penalty, the team’s first goal during this run of defeats.

There were encouraging moments before the break. Yéremy Pino struck the crossbar, while Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton also tested Liverpool. But after Wirtz’s goal, Palace struggled to threaten consistently, and the result left them with little to show for a promising first half.

Sage has spoken of his confidence that he would remain in charge for Palace’s matches after the international break, against Coventry away and Hull at home. He also acknowledged the need to improve the team’s level of play, saying: “We have a lack of efficiency.” He said he wanted to “adjust a few things in the winter transfer window”.

That leaves two questions hanging over Selhurst Park: whether those fixtures will be Sage’s chance to steady the team, and whether the club will act before then. Frank’s emergence as the leading candidate gives the speculation a clear focus, but the verified information does not confirm that Palace have made a final decision or that a change has taken place.

For Palace, the immediate concern is the table and a run of four defeats that has pushed them to the bottom. The next move could define the direction of their season; for now, Sage remains in the spotlight and Frank is the name most closely linked with a possible succession.