Four candidates to replace Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace amid manager sack threat

The Frenchman is set to be afforded more time to turn things around but knows results need to change, with Palace facing potentially critical games against Besiktas and Newcastle this week.

As Standard Sport reported earlier this week, Sage has struggled to get his ideas across since taking over from Oliver Glasner in the summer and has taken just seven points from Palace’s first seven league games.

The Eagles have the worst defence in the Premier League, and Sage is facing a fight to convince Palace’s decision-makers he is the man for the job.

While Palace are not set to make an imminent decision on Sage’s future, they have sounded out potential replacements.

So, Standard Sport assessed who could take over were Palace to pull the plug on Sage…

Thomas Frank

AFP/Getty

Thomas Frank

Out of work since being sacked by Tottenham in February, Thomas Frank was one of several candidates that Palace looked at to succeed Glasner this summer.

Frank’s reputation is in need of rehabilitation, and it is unclear how much of a toll his torrid spell in charge of Spurs has taken, but he remains highly regarded after his work with Brentford.

Frank released a statement in June saying he was taking some time out of football before his next job, so the Dane may be unwilling to jump into a role so soon after the season has started.

Kieran McKenna

PA

Kieran McKenna

Another manager who decided to step away from football over the summer, Kieran McKenna made the shock decision to leave Ipswich after earning promotion back to the Premier League last season.

One of Britain’s most highly sought-after young coaches, McKenna’s decision to spend more time with his family came as a surprise, but potentially hints at the fact that he is not yet ready to get back into management.

McKenna’s patient, possession-based style would constitute a dramatic change in tactics for Palace, but the Northern Irishman is comfortable using a three-man defence when his team has the ball.

Eddie Howe

Getty

Eddie Howe

Bringing in former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe would be considered quite the coup for Palace.

The Englishman previously attracted interest from Manchester United and guided Newcastle to the Carabao Cup in 2025.

Howe is actively open to new opportunities, but is said to be willing to wait for an elite, high-profile job, which could leave Palace out of the running.

Sean Dyche

Getty Images

Sean Dyche

Arguably the most controversial name on the list, Sean Dyche’s pragmatic approach is a far cry from the expansive, counter-attacking football Palace fans have been used to under Glasner and, to a lesser extent, Sage.

Dyche’s Premier League experience, especially given Palace will have one eye on ensuring they stay in the top flight, makes him an attractive proposition for those in the boardroom.

Whether they would be prepared to face the inevitable backlash his appointment would prompt is a different question entirely, though.