Crystal Palace are “advancing” in their talks with Lens head coach Pierre Sage, according to several high profile European sources.
The Premier League club had expressed an interest in Coventry City boss Frank Lampard as a potential replacement for the Oliver Glasner but are claimed to have been put off by a £5million compensation fee to prise him away from the CBS Arena.
Dino Toppmöller and Thomas Frank are among the other names to have also been linked with the vacancy at Selhurst Park but Sage has now emerged as the front runner, with European transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano posting on X: “Crystal Palace are advancing in talks to appoint Pierre Sage as new head coach, agreement close.”
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He adds that the 47-year-old coach “has decided to leave RC Lens,” as corroborated by French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, of RMC Sport, who posted on social media: “Pierre Sage has decided to leave Lens. He announced it to his leaders. Discussions underway with Crystal Palace, which is not the only club interested.”
RMC Sport reports that Sage has informed the club’s management and is now focusing on his next club, which he has not yet chosen.”
The article adds that it’s a “bombshell” that he’s chosen to leave RC Lens at the end of a historic season that saw him win the club’s first Coupe de France and finish as runners-up in Ligue 1 behind PSG.
It again states that Pierre Sage is “in talks” with Palace but claims the South London club “isn’t the only one interested, and the French manager’s future could lie elsewhere.”
Lampard’s name seems to be bandied about every time there’s a top flight vacancy and some fans have already begun to worry about Fulham adding him to their wanted list to replace Marco Silva, who announced his departure from Craven Cottage on Tuesday as he prepares to take charge at Benfica.
However, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna is reported by talkSPORT to be their main target and the Irishman is currently the bookies’ favourite for the post with BetVictor installing him as 2/1 favourite for the job ahead of Thomas Frank (6/1), Oliver Glasner (8/1) and Arne Slot (10/1).
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Coventry City are back in the Premier League
The Coventry Telegraph has produced a stunning special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
And to celebrate, the Coventry Telegraph has produced this stunning 48-page special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
Since relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have gone through many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in emphatic style.
And our bumper special edition is the perfect souvenir to remember that fantastic achievement by.
We’ll have match reports, pics, and reaction from every kick of City’s journey back to English football’s promised land.
It’s all here… the avalanche of goals pre-Christmas that made promotion look nailed on, the brief wobble that followed, and the revival under Lampard to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Plus, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will have pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard’s success, key players, and what lies ahead for the club in the top flight.
Club historian Jim Brown will also share his fact-filled take on promotion, while there will be pictures and reports from the Sky Blues’ joyful promotion celebrations.
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Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.
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