Crystal Palace have appointed Pierre Sage as their new manager.
The Frenchman has signed a contract until the summer of 2029. The Eagles agreed a compensation package with Ligue 1 club RC Lens to release Sage from his contract.
The 47-year-old emerged as the preferred candidate after Andoni Iraola became Liverpool head coach.
Palace were seeking a new boss after Oliver Glasner chose not to renew his contract at Selhurst Park, which expires on June 30.
The Austrian led the club through one of the most successful spells in their history, winning the FA Cup before signing off with victory in the Conference League final in May.
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Oliver Glasner and some of his Crystal Palace players react to winning the club’s first European title
Speaking to the club’s website, Sage said: “It’s amazing to be here at Crystal Palace. I am excited by the history of the club, and by recent seasons. Oliver Glasner achieved some amazing things, and now I have to do the same. That’s why we come here with a lot of ambition.
“The dynamic here is really positive, and we are in this mindset too. We won last year – and we want to continue in this way, in a new club, a new project, but with a lot of winning habits.
“We want to give our best every day for the team, for the club, for the people, and especially for the fans, because when you love a club in England, it’s for all your life.
“We want to give the fans what they want. We want to make the fans smile, to be proud of the team, and to be proud of the club – so we will give our best for you, and we are together.”
Speaking on the appointment, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “I am tremendously excited to welcome Pierre, who joins us off the back of a trophy-winning season at Lens as well as a fabulous second-place finish in Ligue 1.
“As we move into another European campaign off the back of our success in Leipzig, I know he will give everything to target more success for our fantastic football club.”
More information on Sage’s backroom staff will be confirmed at a later date.
Sage’s emotional farewell to RC Lens
Prior to the announcement of Sage’s appointment at Selhurst Park, the 47-year-old posted an emotional farewell to former club RC Lens on social media.
Sage guided the club to second in Ligue 1 last season, six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain. It was just the third time Lens had finished that high in the table since they won the title in the 1997-98 season.
“Blood and Gold People I have three things to tell you,” he said.
“First, bravo for this historic year that we experienced together.
“Next, THANK YOU for all those moments when we united our courage and strength to proudly carry the colours of this magnificent club, RC Lens.
“And finally, farewell, you will remain forever in my mind and in my heart. May the story continue…”
Analysis: Who is Pierre Sage?
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Crystal Palace and Pierre Sage have something in common – they are in a trophy-winning mood.
The Eagles are on a run after winning multiple major trophies – the first pieces of silverware in their history – over the last 12 months. The FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League won under former boss Oliver Glasner represent a golden era at the club.
Sage, meanwhile, is in a similar mood after a sensational season at Lens. He took the Ligue 1 club into a title race with European champions Paris Saint-Germain – and they were leading the way at the end of February.
But Sage’s main achievement last season was the Coupe de France victory, earning Lens the first trophy in their history.
Having also coached Lyon, Sage has a lot of history playing a back three – which is the system Glasner nailed down to a tee. At Lens, Sage also managed to create an attack-minded team despite not being the main protagonists on the pitch in terms of possession.
All this makes sense for Sage to be the man in charge following Glasner’s golden period at Palace. Yes, he’s never managed in the Premier League before. But neither had Glasner before he turned up in south London…
