Crystal Palace stars 'to leave' in droves as club bring in new manager - Expert

Crystal Palace face deeper structural problems than manager Pierre Sage, with recruitment failures and player departures likely to plague his successor.

Crystal Palace are expected to sack manager Pierre Sage within days following a poor start to the season, but sources warn that a managerial change alone will not solve the club's underlying issues.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Palace board failed to adequately strengthen the squad in the summer, particularly after losing Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz. While Sage bears some responsibility for tactical shortcomings, Brown argues the hierarchy has largely left him exposed, with defensive vulnerabilities and squad depth remaining unaddressed.

Brown warned that the incoming manager will face identical challenges: an underperforming squad, a dysfunctional recruitment process, and a toxic atmosphere among supporters. Key players including Marc Guehi are likely to depart without adequate replacements, a pattern that has plagued the club through previous regimes including Oliver Glasner's. Thomas Frank has emerged as the frontrunner for the role after talks following Palace's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.