Pierre Sage is fighting for his job as Crystal Palace manager right now, and after a brutal 5-0 drubbing by Brighton on Sunday, things are looking grim. He’s won just two of his first seven Premier League games, and what’s worse, the team has coughed up a league-high 17 goals in that stretch. That kind of start puts any manager’s future under a microscope, especially when you’re conceding close to 2.5 goals per game.
The Defense Is Just Not There Anymore
Look, the numbers are screaming right now. Giving up 17 goals in seven matches points to a serious problem, and honestly, a lot of it feels like Sage’s own doing. This isn’t the Crystal Palace we know from recent years. Their DNA, under guys like Glasner and Roy Hodgson, was all about defensive stability, building from a solid base for those attacking players. Now? They’re on pace to concede a whopping 92 goals this season. Nobody’s given up that many since Sheffield United shipped 104 in 2024. That’s a staggering drop-off, and the club’s powerbrokers are clearly worried. Sage himself even feels ‘shame’ after that Brighton nightmare, and you can see why.
Sure, Sage might point to the squad getting gutted. We’ve seen Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Maxence Lacroix, Daniel Munoz, and Marc Guehi all leave Selhurst Park since summer 2024. That’s some serious talent walking out the door. Plus, losing influential sporting director Dougie Freedman in 2025 probably didn’t help, and his replacement, Matt Hobbs, is under scrutiny too. They’ve also been hit by injuries and the drama around Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr wanting out. You’ve got 20-year-old Jaydee Canvot and 18-year-old Honest Ahanor starting at center-back in that Brighton loss, so youth is a factor. But inside the club, there’s a real feeling that Sage’s system and approach are a huge part of these defensive struggles. Even some fans think the summer defensive recruitment wasn’t good enough, with guys like Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell, Oscar Mingueza coming on free transfers, and Axel Disasi and Ahanor on loan.
What’s Next For Sage And Palace?
Co-owner Steve Parish isn’t usually one to make impulsive decisions. He even held firm when Oliver Glasner, the previous manager who won the Europa Conference League and FA Cup, publicly blasted the board for selling Marc Guehi. Glasner saw out his contract, but Sage isn’t getting that kind of goodwill right now. Some folks close to Palace already think the writing’s on the wall, and they’re just waiting for the right replacement. It’s tough out there though, remember they couldn’t land their first-choice, Andoni Iraola, after Glasner left. But with crucial games against Besiktas and Newcastle coming up, Sage’s future is definitely on the line. If results don’t turn around fast, Parish will have a big decision to make about the guy who only joined on a three-year deal back in June. It’s going to be a wild week, for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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