Pierre Sage’s failure to fix defensive flaws leaves Crystal Palace seeking new solution

The moment that summed up Crystal Palace's season under Pierre Sage came five minutes before half-time at Selhurst Park against Liverpool. After Palace had gone close to taking the lead, Alexis Mac Allister headed in from a soft free-kick conceded by Jefferson Lerma. The TV cameras immediately panned to Steve Parish in the stands, whose expression revealed his frustration. The only surprise was that Sage had to wait until Thursday before his inevitable fate was confirmed.

Not since the start of the 2017-18 season, after Frank de Boer was sacked after five matches, have Palace found themselves bottom of the table. In their record 14th consecutive season in the top flight, and with preliminary work having started on building a new £200m main stand despite major doubts over funding, Palace cannot afford to be relegated.

Defensive Woes

Sage has been walking a tightrope since the 5-0 thrashing at Brighton last month when it was made clear to the 47-year-old that he must tighten a defence that had conceded the most goals in the Premier League. Some players are thought to have questioned his training methods, although Dean Henderson, the captain, was among those believed to have pledged their support for Sage after defeats by Newcastle and Tottenham.

There was some evidence Palace's players were adapting to his desire to play more on the front foot rather than relying on the counterattacking approach that brought his predecessor, Oliver Glasner, so much success. But they have been far too open at the back, with Liverpool's second goal from Florian Wirtz almost a copy of Hoffenheim's in Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw.

Palace have conceded eight goals from set plays in the Premier League, including four in their current run of four straight defeats.

Manager Search

Fixing a defensive problem that dates back to Glasner's spell has to be the priority for Thomas Frank, who looks poised to take over. The Dane met with Palace in the summer but decided he wasn't ready to return after a difficult spell at Spurs. He is now believed to be very keen for a new challenge and offers proven Premier League experience - a prerequisite for Parish after Sage.

Sean Dyche also had his supporters among the Palace hierarchy. The former sporting director Iain Moody, an influential consultant for Palace who was heavily involved in Sage's appointment after his success at Lens last season, worked with the former Nottingham Forest manager at Watford and was thought to favour him.

Transfer Concerns

Pierre Sage's suggestion that Crystal Palace had to invest in the winter transfer window is not believed to have gone down well with Steve Parish. Last month, the 61-year-old hired the Raine Group to field interest in investment or a possible sale of the club he helped to rescue from administration in 2010. His American billionaire co-owners Woody Johnson, David Blitzer and Josh Harris are understood to have reservations about funding the new stand.

Parish is said to view the squad as too good to be in this position, although Palace failed to adequately replace the key defenders Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guéhi this year, bringing in Takehiro Tomiyasu on a free and Axel Disasi and the 18-year-old Honest Ahanor on loan. It is telling that Coventry and Hull – Palace's next two opponents after the international break – have a higher net spend over the past five years despite being in the Championship until this season.