Crystal Palace has confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new head coach, aiming to retain their top players this summer while preparing for their Europa League campaign. Sage, who previously led Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and won the French Cup, has signed a three-year contract, replacing Oliver Glasner.

Sage’s preference for a 3-4-2-1 system significantly influenced his selection as manager, following the club's unsuccessful pursuit of Andoni Iraola. In his first statement, Sage expressed excitement about the club's history and ambitions, stating, "It’s amazing to be here at Crystal Palace. We won last year – and we want to continue in this way."

To bolster the squad, Sage will be joined by his assistant from Lens, Jamal Alioui. Steve Parish, Palace's co-chair, has assured Sage of support in the transfer market. Currently, the club is pursuing a central midfielder and has engaged in talks with Middlesbrough regarding Hayden Hackney, although Everton is also showing interest.

In addition, Palace seeks a central defender to enhance their squad for their second European campaign. However, they may struggle to retain Maxence Lacroix, who is garnering interest from Liverpool and Manchester United. Other players, including Adam Wharton, Daniel Muñoz, and Ismaïla Sarr, are also attracting attention, particularly Wharton from Liverpool despite his World Cup absence.

Palace recently offered Daichi Kamada a new contract, while Jean-Philippe Mateta awaits a decision after his failed move to Milan in January. If another club meets their valuation, Mateta could be sold.