Sage could be out after Palace sink to bottom

Pierre Sage’s time as Crystal Palace manager could be up after a 3-1 loss to Liverpool sank them to the bottom of the Premier League table. Sunderland beating Chelsea means Palace have been overtaken in the relegation zone and now sit in last spot. Sage’s side have only won one of their last eight games in all competitions and it is now four losses on the bounce in the league.

Eddie Howe is one of the most appealing available managers with a respectable body of work in the Premier League. He eventually led Newcastle to their first trophy in decades by winning the EFL Cup in 2025 and also secured a pair of Champions League qualifications. His time with Newcastle proved he knows how to take a club struggling at the wrong end of the table and lead them to new heights.

Arne Slot is another ambitious option. He is believed to have said no to Fulham, AC Milan, Al-Ahli and the Netherlands since leaving Liverpool. Palace made contact with the then-Feyenoord boss in 2023 when they were looking for a long-term replacement for Patrick Vieira.

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If dreaming of Howe or Slot might be a bit above Palace’s station right now, then it might be time to press the Sean Dyche button. You know what you are getting with Dyche and his tactics: organisation, discipline, back to the basics. At 55, Dyche still has something to give in management if he fancies it.

Thomas Frank might be the happy medium if Howe or Slot would be too ambitious and Dyche would not be ambitious enough. His work with Brentford was excellent, helping to establish them as the stable Premier League club they are today. Give him time and Frank should be able to deliver some better results, all while building a stable project.

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Nuno’s success at keeping Forest up last season should not be overlooked, as he was an important factor in them ending the season strongly enough to avoid the danger of the drop. There would be a degree of irony if he was to take the Palace job after being replaced by Oliver Glasner, who was Sage’s direct predecessor at Selhurst Park.