Crystal Palace have endured a tricky start to the season under Pierre Sage with the Frenchman suggesting his job could be in jeopardy after just seven games of the season
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has admitted that his job is already uncertain just seven games into the season. Sage, 47, was only appointed at Selhurst Park in the summer following Oliver Glasner’s exit at the end of his contract.
But the Frenchman’s start to life with the Eagles has been tricky, with Palace having only won two out of their opening seven Premier League games.
Things got even worse this weekend with Sage’s side having fallen to a 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton. That run of form has left the club sitting 14th in the Premier League and two points clear of the relegation zone.
And speaking after that game, the French coach appeared to hint that his job is now up in the air. Asked if he will get the time to reverse Palace’s slump, he replied: “I don’t know.
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“We are not at the level we expected, and I’m really sorry for that. I just want to apologise to the fans because it’s not normal to show this face.”
Despite the pressure already being on Sage – and fans walking out early during the thumping on the South Coast – he has vowed to fight on in the face of adversity.
He added: “I will always give my best. When we lose I’m really frustrated but I always take the lesson and try to change things but it’s the same when I win because I know we can improve.
“I don’t want to accept the level of the moment if we are able to do better. Today the work is really important to do and I will do it, it’s my job and I like to change this kind of thing.”
“I understand them, and cannot blame them [the fans],” Sage added. “I am responsible for this team and when the team play as they did today it’s not normal, it’s my fault, I understand them.”
Sage was only appointed at Crystal Palace in the summer, the former Lyon and Lens boss putting pen to paper on a three-year contract with the club.
Things are far rosier for opposite number Fabian Hurzeler, with Brighton now sitting third in the Premier League table following another dominant win.
Speaking about his side’s start to the season, he said: “They shouldn’t look at the table. They should enjoy the night today without a mobile phone, enjoy a beer or something else and enjoy wearing the Seagulls’ colours.
“I don’t look at the table at the moment. So of course, positive results, negative results always create judgments, but in the end we need to focus on our performances and that’s the only thing we can control and that’s how we manage it.”
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