Anthony Barry emerges as Palace favourite while Sage’s future hangs

Crystal Palace are approaching a potentially decisive period in their season.

Pierre Sage is facing mounting scrutiny.

England assistant manager Anthony Barry is emerging as a leading candidate to replace him.

Six defeats from nine EPL fixtures have left Palace in the relegation zone.

Barry’s coaching pedigree

Anthony Barry, 40, is an intriguing potential appointment for Crystal Palace.

His coaching career has taken him through demanding environments, working alongside established managers and developing an increasingly impressive professional reputation.

He worked with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, building a relationship based on tactical understanding and mutual confidence.

When Tuchel later became England manager, Barry followed him into the international setup.

He also worked with Roberto Martinez across the Belgium and Portugal national teams.

Barry has operated within successful coaching structures, experienced pressures surrounding elite players and developed an understanding of modern tactical preparation.

Sage’s immediate challenges

Pierre Sage’s immediate future could depend upon Crystal Palace’s next two matches.

Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Hoffenheim offers an opportunity to restore confidence.

Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Selhurst Park presents a demanding test of Sage’s tactics.

Both fixtures carry considerable significance, giving Palace a chance to demonstrate capabilities beyond domestic struggles.

Liverpool represent a further demanding examination of Sage’s approach, while Andoni Iraola’s side arrive with their own ambitions, making Sunday’s encounter crucial for a points‑hungry Palace.

Palace’s position above Sunderland and Nottingham Forest offers little reassurance as six defeats from nine EPL matches have created an uncomfortable situation.

The challenge for Sage is to show his methods can quickly produce tangible improvements to satisfy the club’s decision‑makers.

Appointment hurdles and next steps

Any attempt to recruit Barry would have to navigate his existing commitment to England.

He has signed a contract with the Football Association that runs until the European Championship in 2028.

Leaving that role would be a significant professional decision, as international duties let him work with England’s finest players and continue developing alongside Tuchel.

Premier League management, however, would allow him to establish his own identity, implement his preferred methods and assume full responsibility for results.

For an ambitious coach approaching his first senior managerial appointment, the prospect could be compelling.

Palace must consider whether Barry’s tactical knowledge and experience can translate into immediate improvements needed in a relegation battle.

’s report indicates initial contact has already been made, but no formal agreement has been reached.

Ultimately, Palace’s next two fixtures could determine whether the interest develops into something considerably more substantial.

The report assigns an EPL Index rating of A.

Our view reflects the urgency of the situation.