By his own admission, Pierre Sage was clearly irritated by Crystal Palace’s loss to Everton on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign. When asked whether he was enjoying his inaugural experience in what is arguably the world’s most prestigious football 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 ahead of 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 defeat highlighted a gap between the team’s potential and its execution over the full 90 minutes. "I realised in this match that we are capable of doing great things, but it’s frustrating when you know you have the ability and you don’t deliver for the whole game," he said.
"We performed well in the first half, and it’s abnormal that we dropped off in the second half." Sage stressed the need for consistency, hard work, and collective understanding. "We have to be more consistent, put in a lot of work, and improve our cohesion. We need to play fluidly and smoothly, and the only way to achieve that is through relentless effort," he added. The emphasis on winning comes as no surprise for a manager who delivered remarkable achievements with Lens last season.
Under his guidance, Lens finished second in Ligue 1, ahead of traditional powerhouses such as Marseille and Lyon, thereby earning a coveted Champions League berth. The club also captured its first Coupe de France trophy, cementing Sage’s reputation as a tactician capable of extracting maximum performance from his squads. Sage’s appointment at Crystal Palace on a three‑year contract bears striking similarities to the path of Oliver Glasner, a fact that the club reportedly considered when selecting its new head coach.
"I think the club chose me because my principles align closely with those of Glasner, even though we are different in many respects at the moment," Sage explained. "He has already won here, and I haven’t yet, but the crucial point for me is not to simply imitate him, but to build on his foundation in my own way." When asked about moving from French football, where he was regularly involved in Champions League fixtures, to a team that was, at the time of his hiring, playing in the Europa League, Sage responded with confidence: "People said I was dropping from Champions League football to the Europa League, but I told them I would be playing Champions League football every weekend in my mind." Crystal Palace represents another chapter in Sage’s diverse career, which has seen him serve as a technical director, an academy coach, and, most importantly, an assistant manager. He believes his time as an assistant was the most valuable preparation for the pressures of Premier League management. "As an assistant, I learned the intricacies of training sessions and, more importantly, how to manage the players on a daily basis," he said.
"Every league has its own challenges, but to understand the Premier League you have to watch a huge amount of games and study the nuances." Sage also highlighted the importance of communication across all departments within a club. "I like to stay in touch with every section because I consider everyone vital to the club’s success. When we win, it’s a collective achievement; when we lose, we share the responsibility. That’s why staying connected and understanding each person’s role is essential," he noted.
One of Sage’s former protégés, Rayan Cherki, now plays for Manchester City, the opponent Palace will face in Sage’s first Premier League match at Selhurst Park. Sage offered a candid assessment of the young forward: "I wish him the best, but not necessarily for this game. He’s a different player now, capable of doing things that many can’t comprehend.
He plays with the joy of a child, brings good vibes to the pitch, and reminds me that football can be fun. However, when he faces my team, I ask him to keep quiet and focus on the task." Looking ahead to Friday Night Football, Sage acknowledged the atmosphere at Selhurst Park as a unique factor.
"Everyone has told me the atmosphere here is incredible, very different from other clubs, 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 also recognised the quality of the opposition. "It will be a tough match because Manchester City have a lot of talent.
When a new manager arrives, there’s a surge of energy at the start because you’re still figuring out the best starting XI. That’s why it’s crucial for us to be at our highest level for this game," Sage concluded. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off scheduled for 8 pm.
Fans can also follow highlights and related coverage through various streaming platforms. Sage’s candid remarks and clear ambition set the tone for what could be an exciting and challenging start to his tenure at Crystal Palace, as he seeks to translate his success in France into Premier League triumphs.