Pierre Sage admits communication mistakes over his Lens departure

Pierre Sage admits he made communication mistakes over his departure from Lens. The Palace manager believes his media appearances after the Coupe de France final fuelled questions about his future and created the impression that he was already considering leaving the club.

Asked what he would change, he admitted: “Yes, I would have managed my appearances better in the days after the Coupe de France final, across the three media outlets I spoke to.” He explained that he had wanted to discuss the team’s achievement rather than prompt speculation about his future. “I was questioned on subjects I had not prepared for, about the possibility that I was leaving, when I simply wanted to talk about the wonderful experience we had all just lived together,” he said.

Sage acknowledged that the way those interviews unfolded risked overshadowing the positive aspects of his time at Lens. “It is a learning experience, but it is also a negative experience because it puts very positive things at risk,” he added. He recognised that his departure had left some Lens supporters disappointed and did not dismiss their reaction: “I completely understand the bitterness of the Lens supporters.”

After a successful season at Lens, the French coach left in circumstances that became controversial. After just one season, Sage moved to Crystal Palace and began a new chapter in English football. He said he regretted that the controversy had overshadowed some of the most positive moments of his time at Lens.