Palace set to sack Sage after Liverpool loss

Crystal Palace are set to be on the hunt for a new manager as incumbent boss Pierre Sage is on the brink of being sacked. The decision was made shortly after the Eagles slipped to a 3-1 loss at home against Liverpool on Sunday, a result which condemned the club to last place in the Premier League ahead of the international break.

Former Brentford and Spurs boss Thomas Frank is considered an early front runner for the gig, while there is admiration for Sean Dyche and Coventry City boss Frank Lampard. Ex-Palace defender and Australia national team boss Tony Popovic is also believed to be among the contenders.

However, former Premier League marksman Charlie Austin and host Majestic believe Alan Pardew, who managed Palace between January 2015 and December 2016, could be just what the club needs. Majestic said: "I think Pards would be a perfect man to go to Crystal Palace right now and inspire those players. You’ve got what you’ve got to work with there. There’s a good enough core at Crystal Palace."

He added that someone like Pardew, who knows the club, has the respect from the fans and can go in and galvanise, is what Palace needs right now. Austin added: "They need someone with the know-how to manage a football club that is fighting and in fear of relegation. Pards has been at clubs where he knows what he needs to do to stay up."

Pardew has not managed since a stint in charge of Greek club Aris, and his last Premier League job was at West Bromwich Albion. He previously led West Ham United, Charlton, Newcastle and Palace in the top flight, and guided the Eagles to the FA Cup final.