Crystal Palace in talks with Lens manager Pierre Sage

• Frenchman first choice now Iraola is in Liverpool discussions

• Palace put off by compensation fee for Frank Lampard

Crystal Palace are in talks with Pierre Sage with a view to making him their head coach after he led Lens to second in Ligue 1 this season. Andoni Iraola was the preferred option to replace Oliver Glasner but the former Bournemouth manager is in discussions with Liverpool over succeeding Arne Slot.

Sage inherited a Lens side last June who had finished eighth and made them title contenders, finishing six points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain, and won the Coupe de France. He was in charge of Lyon for just over a year before being sacked in January 2025. Sage is understood to be keen to join Palace so the expectation is that a deal will be struck.