By his own admission, Pierre Sage was visibly irritated after Crystal Palace’s opening‑week defeat to Everton in the Premier League. When asked whether he enjoyed his first taste of the world’s most watched league, his immediate answer was blunt: “We lost.” That response underlined how seriously he is taking both the result and the broader responsibilities of his role. “I’m not at an attraction park, you could say that,” Sage told Sky Sports ahead of Friday’s clash with Manchester City. “I’m here to win games.
This is the job, and I’m not happy with a loss.” He went on to explain that the performance showed both potential and frustration. “I realised in this match that we have the ability to do things, but it’s hard when you know you can achieve something and then you don’t see it through for the full 90 minutes,” he said. “That’s why I was a little bit frustrated – we played well in the first half, and it’s not normal for us to drop off so dramatically in the second.” Sage stressed the need for consistency.
“We have to be more consistent, work harder, understand each other better, be fluid and smooth in our play. The only thing we can do is put in the work.” His focus on winning is hardly surprising given his recent résumé. Last season, while in charge of Lens, he guided the club to an astonishing second‑place finish in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint‑Germain, ahead of traditional powerhouses Marseille and Lyon, thereby securing a Champions League berth.
He also lifted the Coupe de France for the first time in the club’s history. Those achievements set high expectations for his tenure at Selhurst Park. The decision to appoint Sage on a three‑year contract was influenced by the striking parallels many saw between him and Oliver Glasner, the former Palace manager. “I think that’s why the club chose me – we share a lot of principles, even if we differ in some aspects at the moment,” Sage explained.
“Glasner won, I haven’t yet, but the key for me is not to copy him but to be consistent with the foundation he built, while adding my own touch.” When he left France, critics suggested he was trading Champions League football for the Europa League. Sage dismissed that notion, insisting, “I’ll be playing in the Champions League every weekend,” a statement that reflects his ambition to return to Europe’s elite competition with Palace.
Sage’s career has been eclectic, ranging from technical director to academy coach, but it was his time as an assistant that he says prepared him most 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 required watching a lot of games, learning the nuances, and staying in touch with every department in the club.
Success is a collective effort; when we lose, it’s the same. Being connected to everyone helps you understand their jobs and how they contribute to the whole.” He also reflected on his past relationship with former Lyon forward Rayan Cherki, who now faces him with Manchester City. “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 a child‑like joy. He brings good vibes to the squad.
Football can be too serious; I love seeing that kind of exuberance. But when he plays against us, I ask him to keep quiet.” 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 stadium,” he said.
“But the most important thing is the football and the result. If we can make the fans happy at the end, that will be a great satisfaction.” He acknowledged the quality of City’s squad: “It will be a difficult game because they have a lot of talent.
With a new manager there’s a lot of energy at the start because you don’t know exactly who will start. That’s why we must be at our best for this match.” The upcoming encounter will be Sage’s first Premier League match in charge at Selhurst Park, and it will test his ideas about consistency, work ethic, and collective responsibility. He hopes to translate the disciplined, fluid style he championed at Lens into the fast‑paced, physically demanding environment of English football.
By emphasizing preparation, communication across all club departments, and a relentless desire to improve, Sage aims to turn the early disappointment into a stepping stone toward longer‑term success. Fans can catch the live broadcast of Crystal Palace versus Manchester City on Sky Sports, with kickoff slated for 8 p.m.
after the 7 p.m. pre‑match coverage. The match promises to be a litmus test for Sage’s methods and a glimpse of what his tenure could look like if he can harness the squad’s potential and instill the consistency he so passionately demands.