Pierre Sage fighting to keep Crystal Palace job after 5-0 Brighton thrashing

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is under close scrutiny after a 5-0 defeat at Brighton left him with just two wins in seven Premier League games. The 47-year-old Frenchman faces a crucial week, with games against Besiktas and Newcastle set to determine whether co-owner and chairman Steve Parish acts.

  • At stake: Sage's position as Crystal Palace manager
  • Recent result: 5-0 defeat by Brighton on Sunday
  • Record: Two wins from seven Premier League games; 17 goals conceded, most in the league
  • Next fixtures: Europa League trip to Besiktas, then home Premier League game against Newcastle
  • Decision-maker: Co-owner and chairman Steve Parish
  • Replacement: No appointment imminent; Palace failed to land first-choice target Andoni Iraola after Oliver Glasner's exit

The numbers behind Sage's start

  • 7 Premier League games in charge
  • 2 wins
  • 17 goals conceded — the most in the Premier League
  • 2.5 goals conceded per game on average
  • 92 goals projected to be conceded over the season
  • 104 goals shipped by Sheffield United when they finished bottom in 2024 — the last club to concede more

Defensive frailties a concern

Sage can point to the disbanding of the squad that led Palace to their first ever major trophies — the FA Cup in 2025 and last season's Europa Conference League triumph — as the reason for his tough start. Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Maxence Lacroix, Daniel Munoz and Marc Guehi have all departed Selhurst Park since the summer of 2024.

The departure of highly influential sporting director Dougie Freedman in 2025 has also been keenly felt. In addition to Sage, the position of Freedman's replacement Matt Hobbs is under the spotlight.

But conceding 17 goals in seven Premier League matches points to a problem, at least in part, of Sage's own making. The team's recent DNA is rooted in defensive stability; predecessors Glasner and Roy Hodgson produced well-organised teams with a solid base for their attacking players. Conceding close to 2.5 goals per game is far removed from what recent successes were built upon and has raised major concern from the club's powerbrokers.

Personnel is contributing to those defensive deficiencies. Losing Guehi, Lacroix and Munoz in the space of six months represents significant losses. From the three centre-backs that started in Sunday's 5-0 loss to Brighton, Jaydee Canvot is 20 years old and Honest Ahanor only 18.

Nevertheless, there is a clear sense from inside the club that Sage's system and approach has been a major contributing factor towards their troubles in defence. There is a perception from sections of supporters that the club's summer defensive recruitment has not helped. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell and Oscar Mingueza arrived on free transfers, while Axel Disasi and Ahanor arrived on loan.

As mitigation, it is understood Palace have encountered major difficulty in complying with Uefa's financial rules, leaving them hampered in the transfer market. Trying to stay within Uefa's guidelines was among the reasons why the club sold Munoz to Nottingham Forest for £22m. But those financial difficulties do not make the situation Sage finds himself any less critical.

Why Sage's system is under scrutiny

Pierre Sage inherited a Palace squad stripped of the core that delivered silverware. The departures of Eze, Olise, Lacroix, Munoz and Guehi have left a defence reliant on teenagers. Jaydee Canvot (20) and Honest Ahanor (18) started alongside one other centre-back against Brighton, and the naivety showed.

But the numbers suggest deeper issues. A team that once prided itself on being hard to beat is now conceding 2.5 goals a game — a rate that would see them ship 92 over the season. The club's powerbrokers believe the system and approach are as much to blame as the personnel, especially with summer signings Tomiyasu, Chilwell, Mingueza, Disasi and Ahanor all arriving cheaply or on loan.

Financial fair play restrictions have hampered recruitment, but the pressure on Sage is real. The upcoming games against Besiktas and Newcastle offer a chance to change the mood, but two defeats could force Parish's hand.

Talking points

  • Is Sage being scapegoated for a squad overhaul that left him with teenagers at centre-back, or are his tactics genuinely to blame for the 17 goals conceded?
  • Steve Parish has a reputation for patience, but can he afford to wait if Palace ship more goals against Besiktas and Newcastle?
  • Should the club have done more to replace Guehi, Lacroix and Munoz, or did Uefa's financial rules leave them with no choice?
  • With Andoni Iraola unavailable, who could Palace realistically appoint if they sack Sage?

What happens next

Crystal Palace travel to Besiktas in the Europa League before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League. Two positive results would ease the pressure on Sage and allow him to build momentum. Two defeats, however, and the Palace board may feel enough is enough. Parish is not one to act on impulse — he resisted the temptation when Glasner criticised the board for "abandoning" the team after Guehi's sale to Manchester City in January — but the upcoming week could force his hand.

Frequently asked questions

How many games has Pierre Sage won as Crystal Palace manager?

Pierre Sage has won two of his opening seven Premier League games in charge of Crystal Palace.

How many goals have Crystal Palace conceded under Pierre Sage?

Crystal Palace have conceded 17 goals in seven Premier League matches under Sage, the most in the league.

Who is Crystal Palace's next opponent?

Crystal Palace face a Europa League trip to Besiktas followed by a home Premier League game against Newcastle.

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