New Crystal Palace boss Sage on Premier League move: ‘It was a difficult decision’

Pierre Sage, the new Crystal Palace manager, has revealed that the opportunity to manage in the Premier League was too enticing to decline, despite the difficult decision it represented. The 47-year-old French coach, who last week returns to his native country to take charge of Crystal Palace, is the 10th French individual to manage in the Premier League and the first to do so without prior managerial experience.

Sage joined Lyon in November 2023 at the behest of then-owner John Textor, who had previously invested in Crystal Palace. Under his leadership, Lyon turned their fortunes around, finishing second in Ligue 1 and reaching the French Cup final. However, he was eventually dismissed midway through the following campaign. Following his stint at Queens Park Rangers, Sage achieved remarkable results at Lens, winning the French Cup and finishing second in Ligue 1. His exceptional achievements at Lens led to his appointment at Crystal Palace.

Despite Lyon's historic achievements during Sage's tenure, the French coach faced a difficult decision when Crystal Palace approached him. While he recognizes the historic nature of his accomplishments at Lyon, he ultimately decided that the opportunity to manage in the Premier League was too significant to pass up. The financial disparity between the two leagues is evident, with Palace's resources significantly surpassing Lyon's current situation.

Sage has been learning about the differences between French and English football, noting that English matches tend to maintain a high level of intensity from both teams. The relationship between Palace and Lyon is somewhat ironic, given that Palace previously barred Lyon from competing in the Europa League due to their owner's involvement. However, Lyon was allowed to participate in the competition this season.

Reflecting on his past, Sage jokes that he wished he had never left Lyon, as being sacked was just part of the job. As he prepares to lead Crystal Palace, Sage is optimistic about the team's prospects in both domestic and European competitions. With the right squad rotation, he believes they can compete in both leagues.