Pierre Sage Signs Three-Year Deal With Crystal Palace Until 2029
Crystal Palace have appointed pierre sage as their new manager, giving the 47-year-old a deal until the summer of 2029 after Oliver Glasner chose not to renew his contract. The move ends Palace’s search for a successor and puts Sage in charge as the club prepares for another European campaign.
Sage arrives from RC Lens after Crystal Palace agreed a compensation package to release him from his contract. Palace had initially targeted Andoni Iraola, but Liverpool appointed him as head coach, leaving the Selhurst Park job to go to Sage.
Selhurst Park Turns to Sage
Steve Parish said Palace are welcoming a coach who comes off a trophy-winning season and a strong league finish. He said: "I am tremendously excited to welcome Pierre, who joins us off the back of a trophy-winning season at Lens as well as a fabulous second-place finish in Ligue 1."
Parish also tied the appointment to the club’s immediate schedule: "As we move into another European campaign off the back of our success in Leipzig, I know he will give everything to target more success for our fantastic football club." Sage’s arrival gives Palace a manager who has already worked through a title race and a cup-winning run.
Lens Form Before Palace Move
Last season, Sage guided RC Lens to second in Ligue 1, six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain. That finish was only the third time Lens had ended that high since the 1997-98 season, and it came with a trophy as well.
His first message to Palace supporters was built around that record. He said: "It's amazing to be here at Crystal Palace. I am excited by the history of the club, and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That's why we come here with a lot of ambition."
Sage Leaves Lens Behind
Before Palace made the move public, Sage posted an emotional farewell to Lens on social media. He wrote: "Peuple Sang et Or ❤️?J’ai 3 choses à vous dire:D’abord, BRAVO pour cette année historique que nous avons vécue ensemble. Ensuite, MERCI pour tous ces moments où nous avons uni notre courage et notre force pour porter haut les couleurs de ce club magnifique, le RC Lens.Et…"
The transfer leaves Palace with a manager under long-term contract and Lens with another opening after a season that put Sage back in demand. Glasner’s contract at Selhurst Park expires on June 30, but Palace have already moved to settle the next chapter rather than wait for that deadline.
