Crystal Palace 'working on' next manager appointment

Pierre Sage expected to be sacked within days; Crystal Palace already identifying replacements including Sean Dyche.

Crystal Palace are preparing to sack manager Pierre Sage following a poor start to the season and a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. The club's defensive issues have been a persistent problem that Sage has failed to address, and the board has lost confidence in his ability to turn things around. While Palace stuck with Sage after a 5-0 loss to Brighton, the Newcastle defeat appears to have been the final straw.

Chairman Steve Parish indicated earlier this month that the board was on high alert over Sage's future, and that position has not changed. Sources suggest internal discussions about his departure are already underway, with the sacking expected to happen within days or weeks.

Palace are already working on identifying potential replacements. Sean Dyche, the former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest manager, is understood to be the leading contender. Other names linked with the position include Rob Edwards, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank. Dyche has been out of work since his dismissal by Forest in February and is believed to be open to a return to management.