Crystal Palace are now looking to replace Oliver Glasner with a “tactical genius”, who just won a Manager of the Season award.
Palace eyeing replacement for “best” manager in their history
Glasner lifted three trophies during a remarkable spell at Selhurst Park, namely the FA Cup, Community Shield and Europa Conference League, and Adam Wharton has suggested the Austrian is the club’s greatest-ever manager.
The midfielder said: “He has got to be one of the best managers Crystal Palace has ever had. He has made a massive difference to how the club looks at competitions. We are not just looking to stay in the Premier League and be in Europe, we are looking to win and be as high as possible.”
The 51-year-old leaves big shoes to fill, but Selhurst Park should be an attractive destination this summer, with the Europa Conference League triumph granting qualification for next season’s Europa League.
It appears as though the Eagles are set to miss out on Andoni Iraola, as the former AFC Bournemouth manager would prefer to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool.
As such, Steve Parish has now started looking at alternative options, and the Ligue 1 Manager of the Season winner has now emerged as a target.
Palace now working to appoint “tactical genius” as Glasner replacement
According to a report from talkSPORT, Crystal Palace are now exploring a move for RC Lens manager Pierre Sage, but it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible.
Sage remains under contract until the summer of 2028, and he has suggested he could see out his current deal, saying: “There is no reason for that (the situation around his future) to evolve. But there are lots of contacts. I am under contract and I will try to honour it. I am very happy at this club.”
With Iraola now poised to make the move to Anfield, a number of other managers have entered the frame to take over as Palace boss, with Kieran McKenna, Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank also in contention.
The Lens manager has emerged as a target off the back of a remarkable campaign, guiding his side to a second-place finish in Ligue 1, while also lifting the French Cup, courtesy of a 3-1 victory against OGC Nice in the final.
Manchester City star Rayan Cherki is also a huge fan of the 47-year-old, saying: “People forget just how much of a tactical genius he is.
“Every match is prepared down to the millimetre. We know exactly where the spaces are, what we have to do with the ball. He makes football simpler for us.”
|
Pierre Sage’s managerial record |
Matches |
Points per match |
|
RC Lens |
40 |
2.20 |
|
Lyon |
56 |
1.93 |
As such, while losing Glasner after such a remarkable period is a difficult pill to swallow, Sage could be a very exciting replacement.
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The Eagles are on the hunt for their next Oliver Glasner…