Thomas Frank leads Palace candidates if Pierre Sage is sacked

Thomas Frank is reported to be the leading candidate to succeed Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace if the club decides to sack its manager. No decision has been taken, but Sage could lose his job after a seventh league defeat of the season. Frank was among the names Palace considered during the summer.

The 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, in the 10th round of the Premier League, further weakened Sage’s position. The result left Crystal Palace bottom of the table, and the club’s hierarchy could decide to part ways with him soon. A dismissal during the international break is also being discussed. At Selhurst Park, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool.

The post-match reaction offered two perspectives on the defeat. Jamie Carragher praised Palace’s display, saying Liverpool’s goalkeeper had been his team’s best player. He nevertheless argued that the performance did not remove concerns about Sage, a newcomer to the Premier League who has struggled so far. Carragher also pointed to the financial risk of a poor league position for the club. In his view, Palace, an established Premier League side with 14 seasons in the competition, should not be near the bottom. He expects the club to have a new manager by its next Premier League match.

Sage, meanwhile, said his team had started well and created chances without scoring. He regretted conceding from a set piece and leaving space afterwards, while acknowledging Liverpool’s effectiveness in transition. “Football is about efficiency,” he said, urging his side to convert its chances. He added that he was frustrated for the fans and players, believing Palace could do better.

Against that backdrop, Frank is emerging as a leading option, but his appointment depends on a possible decision to dismiss Sage.