Sage sacked by Crystal Palace: negotiations underway with Lens

Sage left Crystal Palace with 18 months' severance and is in talks with former club Lens about a return, though no deal has been reached yet.

Pierre Sage was sacked by Crystal Palace on Thursday after just a few months in charge. The French manager, 47, departs with compensation equivalent to 18 months' salary and is now free to join any club.

Lens president Joseph Oughourlian wants Sage back at his former club, where he won the Coupe de France and secured Champions League qualification in a single season before moving to the Premier League. Sage is open to the idea, but negotiations are ongoing on multiple issues beyond just wages. No agreement has been reached.

If talks with Sage fail to conclude, Lens will pursue other candidates to replace Yannick Cahuzac, who was dismissed following defeats to Lille (1-0) in the derby and a 9-1 Champions League loss to Como.