Pierre Sage openly admitted that he was irritated by Crystal Palace’s loss to Everton in the Premier League’s opening weekend. When questioned about his enjoyment of his first taste of the world’s most watched league, his immediate answer was “we lost,” underscoring how seriously he regards both the result and his overall role. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Friday clash with Manchester City, Sage clarified his mindset: “I’m not at an attraction park, you could say that.
I’m here to win games. This is the job, and I’m not happy to lose this one.” He went on to explain that the defeat highlighted the team’s potential and the frustration of not delivering that promise for the full 90 minutes. “I realised in this game that we are capable of doing things, but it’s painful when you know you can do them and you don’t for the whole match,” Sage said.
“That’s why I was a little bit frustrated – we performed well in the first half, and it’s abnormal that we dropped off in the second.” He stressed the need for consistency, hard work and better collective understanding: “We must be more consistent, we must work a lot, we need to understand each other better. We have to be fluid, smooth in our play, and the only solution is to keep working.” The emphasis on winning is no surprise for a manager who delivered remarkable results with Lens last season.
Under his guidance, Lens finished second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint‑Germain, ahead of traditional powerhouses Marseille and Lyon, thereby securing a Champions League berth. The club also captured its first Coupe de France trophy under his stewardship. Sage’s appointment at Selhurst Park mirrors the profile of Oliver Glasner, a similarity that helped secure a three‑year contract with Crystal Palace.
“I think that’s why the club chose me – because he and I share many principles, even though we are different at the moment,” Sage explained. “He has won titles, I haven’t yet won here, but the most important thing for me isn’t to imitate him. It’s to stay true to my own style while being consistent with the foundation laid by the previous manager.” When he left France, critics suggested he was swapping Champions League football for the Europa League.
Sage replied confidently, “I’ll be playing in the Champions League every weekend,” a statement that reflects his ambition to bring European‑level standards to Palace. His career path has been varied, ranging from technical director to academy coach, but it was his time as an assistant that he says prepared him best for a Premier League head‑coach role.
“As an assistant I learned the training process and how to manage the players,” he noted. “Understanding the Premier League requires watching a lot of games, and I make it a point to stay in contact with every department because everyone matters. Success is collective, and when we lose, it’s collective too. That’s why staying connected to all areas of the club is essential.” Sage also reflected on his former Lyon protégé, Rayan Cherki, who now faces Palace with Manchester City.
“I wish him the best, but not necessarily for this game,” he laughed. “He’s a different player now – he can do things people can’t comprehend, and I love that because he plays with the joy of a child. He brings good vibes to the squad.
Football can be too serious, and players like him remind us of the fun side. Yet when he plays against us, I ask him to keep quiet.” The upcoming Friday Night Football fixture will be Sage’s first Premier League match at Selhurst Park, and he anticipates a massive atmosphere.
“Everyone tells me the vibe at Selhurst is incredible, unlike any other ground, and I’m excited to experience it,” he said. “But the most important thing is the football and the result. If we can make the fans happy at the final whistle, that will be a great satisfaction.” He acknowledged the challenge ahead: “It will be a tough game because Manchester City have a lot of talent.
When a new manager arrives there’s a burst of energy because you don’t yet know who will start. That’s why we must be at our best for this match.” Sage’s comments reveal a manager who is keenly aware of the fine margins between potential and performance, and who is determined to instil a culture of consistency, hard work and collective responsibility at Crystal Palace. As the Eagles prepare to host the defending champions, the focus will be on translating those principles into a performance that satisfies both the fans and the ambitious standards set by their new boss.