Pierre Sage admitted that he was left feeling irritated after Crystal Palace’s opening‑week defeat to Everton in the Premier League. When questioned about his first taste of the world’s most watched league, his immediate answer was, "We lost," underscoring how seriously he is taking both the result and his overall role at the club. "I’m not at an amusement park, you could say that," Sage told Sky Sports before Friday’s showdown with Manchester City.
"I’m here to win games. This is the job, and I’m not happy about losing this one." He went on to explain that the performance in the first half showed what the team is capable of, but the second half fell short of that standard.
"It’s frustrating when you know you can do something and you don’t deliver for the full ninety minutes," he said. "That’s why we need to be more consistent, work harder, understand each other better, and play with fluency and smoothness.
The only solution is to put in the work." Sage’s focus on victory is no surprise for a manager who delivered a remarkable season with Lens. Under his guidance, Lens finished second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint‑Germain, out‑pacing traditional powerhouses such as Marseille and Lyon, and earned a place in the Champions League. The club also captured its first Coupe de France trophy, cementing Sage’s reputation as a winner.
The decision to bring Sage to Selhurst Park on a three‑year contract was heavily influenced by the striking parallels between his philosophy and that of Oliver Glasner, the former manager who previously led the club. Sage himself noted, "I think that’s why the club chose me – because my principles line up with Glasner’s, even though we are different in many ways at the moment.
He has already won here, I haven’t yet, but the most important thing for me isn’t to replicate him exactly. It’s about staying true to the consistency he built, while adding my own approach." When asked about leaving France, Sage recalled the criticism he faced for moving from a Champions League‑contending side to a club that was, at the time, playing in the Europa League. He responded confidently, "I told them I would be playing in the Champions League every weekend," a statement that reflects his ambition to bring Palace back to the continent’s elite competition.
Sage’s career path has been anything but linear. He has served as a technical director, academy coach, and, most importantly, an assistant manager – a role he believes prepared him best for the pressures of Premier League management. "As an assistant, I learned the intricacies of training, but I also discovered how to manage the players on a personal level," he explained. "Every league has its own challenges, but the Premier League demands that you watch countless matches to understand its rhythm and intensity." He also emphasized the importance of communication across all departments within a club.
"I consider every staff member vital to the organization. Success is a collective effort, and when we lose, the responsibility is shared.
That’s why staying connected with everyone – from the medical team to the scouting department – is essential for a unified vision." Sage’s connection to the Premier League extends beyond his own ambitions. He was the manager of Rayan Cherki at Lyon, and Cherki now stars for Manchester City, the very team Palace will face on Sage’s first home Premier League match at Selhurst Park. Sage praised the young Frenchman, saying, "I wish him the best, but not necessarily for this game.
He’s a different kind of player – he does things that are hard to comprehend, and he plays with the joy of a child. He brings positive energy to the pitch, which I love because football can become overly serious. When he faces us, though, I ask him to keep quiet and focus on the task at hand." The upcoming Friday Night Football fixture against Manchester City is set to be a true test of Sage’s ideas.
He described the atmosphere at Selhurst Park as "incredible" and unlike anything he has experienced at other clubs. "The fans create a unique vibe that I’m excited to discover," he said. "But the most important thing remains the quality of our play and the final result. If we can make the supporters happy, that will be a great satisfaction." Sage also acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge ahead.
"Manchester City possess a wealth of talent, and facing them will be tough. When a new manager arrives, there’s a surge of energy because the starting line‑up isn’t set in stone yet.
That’s why we must be at our highest level for this match." Beyond the tactical battle, Sage’s broader vision for Crystal Palace involves building a resilient, attacking side that can compete consistently at the top of the table. He plans to blend the club’s existing core with strategic signings, focusing on players who can adapt to his high‑pressing, possession‑oriented style. He believes that nurturing young talent from the academy will also be crucial, echoing his earlier experience as an academy coach.
In terms of training methodology, Sage intends to implement a more data‑driven approach, using video analysis and performance metrics to fine‑tune individual and collective output. He highlighted the need for mental toughness, stating, "We must develop a winning mentality that endures beyond a single match. Consistency, preparation, and belief are the pillars of success." Sage’s comments also touched on the cultural shift he hopes to instill. He wants players to enjoy the game while maintaining professionalism, a balance he described as essential for long‑term achievement.
"Football should be fun, but it also requires discipline. When players love what they do, they perform better, but they must also respect the tactical framework we set." As the clock ticks down to the kickoff at 8 pm on Friday, Sage’s words resonate with both optimism and realism.
He knows that the road ahead will be filled with setbacks and triumphs, but his determination to transform Crystal Palace into a club that consistently challenges for honors is unmistakable. Whether the fans leave Selhurst Park satisfied after the match or not, Sage’s commitment to a winning culture is already evident, and the season ahead promises to be an intriguing journey for the Eagles and their new French manager.