Crystal Palace have held a second round of talks with Lens head coach Pierre Sage as they expore appointing the 47-year-old Frenchman as their next manager, according to the source report.. The move follwos the likely departure of their primary target, Andoni Iraola, who is now expected to take over at Liverpool after Arne Slot's sacking.. Sage, who joined Lens last summer, led the club to a French Cup victory and pushed Paris Saint-Germain all the way in Ligue 1 , earning praise from PSG boss Luis Enrique.

Why Iraola's pivot to Liverpool forced Palace to accelerate Sage talks

The source report indicates that Crystal Palace's board had identified Andoni Iraola as their main target,largely because of his Premier League experience. But with Iraola now expected to succeed Arne Slot at Anfield, Palace chairman Steve Parish and his team have moved quickly to engage Pierre Sage. Initial talks reportedly took place on Saturday, with more following on Sunday, as the club seeks a swift appointment to replace Oliver Glasner.

The shift underscores the fluid nature of the managerial merry-go-round this summer. Liverpool's move for Iraola, if confirmed, would leave Palace scrambling for a candidate who can maintain the club's upward trajectory — a challenge Parish himself acknowledged last week when he said , "We have gone up a level and we have got to try and stay there."

Sage's rapid rise: from Lyon academy to French Cup glory and Champions League qualification

Pierre Sage first caught clubs' attention with his work at Lyon, where he progressed from academy coach to first-team manager, according to the source. When he took over at Lens last summer, he not only won the French Cup but also secured Champions League qualification — a remarkable feat for a club that has traditionally lived in PSG's shadow. His style of play impressed even PSG boss Luis Enrique, who publicly praised the Lens side.

That combination of tactical discipline and tangible success has made Sage a coveted figure. The source notes that Liverpool and Tottenham have also monitored him in recent months, adding urgency to Palace's pursuit. Sage has two years left on his contract but is reportedly open to hearing what Palace can offer.

Three open questions: competition from Liverpool and Tottenham, Lampard's availability, and contract complexity

While Sage is interested in Palace's project, the source leaves several critical points unaddressed. First, how serious is the interest from Liverpool and Tottenham? If either club decides to make a formal approach, Palace may struggle to compete given their different financial firepower and European ambitions.. Second , Frank Lampard remains a bookmakers' favourite and is on Palace's radar, but Coventry City — who he returned to the Premier League — is reluctant to lose him. The source does not clarify whether Lampard has a release clause or how that standoff might unfold.

Third, the source does not detail the buyout terms in Sage's Lens contract. With two years left, Lens could demand significant compensation, which might complicate a deal for a club that, as Parish put it, must "work hard in the summer" to stay competitive. Until these specifics emerge, the Sage-to-Palace narrative remains a developing story rather than a done deal.