Crystal Palace to hire manager who made Liverpool shortlist before Andoni Iraola appointment

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Crystal Palace are set to appoint Lens boss Pierre Sage as Oliver Glasner ’s replacement. The Austrian departed Selhurst Park this summer at the end of his contract, having led the club to the Conference League title in his last game in charge.

A number of names were linked with the post including Coventry’s Frank Lampard and new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola . Another option was Lens boss Sage and it appears that a deal between the Frenchman and Palace is close.

According to reports, a compensation package between the Eagles and Lens is close to being agreed. It is expected that the Ligue 1 side will bank around €5million (£4.3m) for his services, while Sage will put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.

Sage, 47, was previously in charge of Lyon and led the side to sixth in his first season at the helm. He left after just over a year and was appointed by Lens last summer and won the Coupe de France, as well as leading the side to a second-placed finish in the league.

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His switch to Palace signals Sage finally sealing a move to the Premier League . He was previously linked with a move to Liverpool alongside Sebastian Hoeness, only for the Reds to move for Iraola.

Speaking after his appointment at Anfield was confirmed, the former Bournemouth boss said: “Really excited because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it is a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world .

“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club and I always thought it’s a special club, not [just] because of the football side, but also because what people think about even during the week, how they are passionate about the club, the ones who play football, the ones who are probably interested.

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“I have some experience with Athletic Club that I could in some ways familiarise, but it’s going to be fun to experience it from the inside.”

He added: “I don’t think you need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool, no? Liverpool is Liverpool, but obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this, it’s difficult to find it, so really excited to start.”