Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is in serious danger of losing his job just five months into his reign. The club are bottom of the Premier League going into the international break, and BBC Sport reports that they have held internal talks about his future and who might replace him.
Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool was Palace's fourth league loss in a row. Sage's side have won two of their 10 league games and have taken seven points.
The numbers are ugly
Palace have the worst defensive record in the Premier League with 24 goals conceded. They have not won a league game since 11 October, and the slide began with a 5-0 loss to Brighton, after which Sage spoke of his "shame" and admitted he did not know whether he would be given time.
In Europe things are not much better. Palace are 21st in the Europa League table, which is enough for a play-off place for now, with only one win from four matches. Against Liverpool they hit the bar and had a goal ruled out, yet still lost.
Who could replace him
Former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank is viewed as a strong candidate. Former Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche also has some support inside the club. Both are out of work and could start immediately.
If Sage goes, he could become the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season. He was appointed on a three-year contract in June after Oliver Glasner left, having led Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and a first French Cup win in the club's 120-year history.
Sympathy behind the scenes
There is some understanding for the 47-year-old. Injuries disrupted his plans, and the absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, caused by a mixture of fitness and personal issues connected to both players' wish to leave, has not helped.
"It's not from the dream to the nightmare," Sage said after the Liverpool game. He added that the results were not at the required level and that he had to push the team's way of playing. Glasner, who won the FA Cup and the Europa Conference League with Palace, now manages Nottingham Forest. Palace's next league match is at Coventry on 21 November.
Club context: Crystal Palace have 7 points from 10 league games and are bottom of the table. Sage, 47, was appointed in June on a three-year contract. Source: BBC Sport.
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