By his own admission, Pierre Sage was visibly irritated after Crystal Palace’s opening‑week defeat to Everton in the Premier League. When the Sky Sports crew asked him whether he was enjoying his inaugural taste of England’s most watched league, his immediate reply was a blunt "we lost," underscoring how seriously he is taking both the result and his broader responsibilities as manager. "I’m not at an attraction park, you could say that.
I’m here to win games," Sage told Sky Sports ahead of Friday’s showdown with Manchester City. "The job is what it is, and I’m not happy to lose this one." He went on to explain that the loss highlighted a gap between the team’s potential and its execution over ninety minutes. "I realised in this match that we are capable of doing great things, but it’s frustrating when you know you can do it and you don’t deliver for the full duration of the game," he said. "We played well in the first half, but the second half was far from normal for us." Sage stressed the need for consistency, hard work, and a smoother, more fluent style of play.
"We have to improve our understanding of each other, be more fluid on the ball and simply put in the work," he added. The emphasis on winning is no surprise for a coach who accomplished remarkable feats with RC Lens last season. Under his guidance Lens finished second in Ligue 1, ahead of traditional powerhouses Marseille and Lyon, earning a Champions League berth, and captured their first ever Coupe de France trophy.
Those achievements set high expectations for his tenure at Selhurst Park. Sage’s appointment mirrors that of Oliver Glasner, the manager who led Brighton to a strong Premier League campaign.
Both share similar footballing philosophies, a fact Sage believes helped secure his three‑year contract with Crystal Palace. "I think the club chose me because my principles line up with Oliver’s, even though we’re different in many ways," he explained.
"He has already won here, I haven’t yet, but the key for me is not to imitate him but to build on what the previous manager established, in my own style." When questioned about moving from French football – where he was regularly involved in Champions League fixtures – to the English game, Sage was unapologetic. "People said I was dropping from Champions League to the Europa League, but I told them I’d be playing Champions League football every weekend," he quipped, confident that Palace can qualify for Europe under his leadership. Sage’s career has been eclectic, ranging from technical director roles to academy coaching, but it was his time as an assistant that he says prepared him most for the Premier League spotlight.
"As an assistant I learned the training process and how to manage players," he noted. "Understanding the Premier League also required watching countless matches to absorb the nuances of the competition." He also highlighted the importance of communication across all club departments. "Every part of the organisation matters.
When we succeed, it’s a collective effort; when we fail, it’s the same. That’s why I stay connected with everyone and respect each person’s job," Sage asserted. Sage also reminisced about his days at Lyon, where he oversaw the development of forward Rayan Cherki, now a Manchester City player. "I wish him the best, but not necessarily for this game," Sage smiled.
"He’s a different player now – he can do things that many can’t understand, and he plays with the joy of a child. He brings good vibes to the squad. Football can be too serious, and I love that kind of player, but when he faces us, I ask him to keep quiet on the pitch." Looking ahead to Friday Night Football, Sage knows the challenge that awaits. "Everyone tells me the atmosphere at Selhurst Park 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 huge satisfaction." He acknowledged Manchester City’s talent pool, noting the difficulty of facing such a side. "It will be a tough game because they have a lot of quality.
When a new manager arrives, there’s a burst of energy at the start because you’re still figuring out the best lineup. That’s why we must be at our highest level for this match," Sage concluded. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 8 pm, with a pre‑show at 7 pm. Fans can also enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, free of charge.