Crystal Palace are near a full agreement to appoint RC Lens manager Pierre Sage, with the Premier League club set to pay Lens 5 million euros ($5.8m), sources told ESPN.
The report said the clubs agreed a deal in principle after days of negotiations. Sage, 47, had already agreed personal terms with Palace, but he still had two years left on his Lens contract.
Palace Move For Sage After Glasner Exit Plan
Sage became the leading contender for the Crystal Palace job after the club failed to lure outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, according to ESPN. Iraola has since taken charge at Liverpool.
The Palace vacancy follows Oliver Glasner's planned departure. ESPN reported that Glasner confirmed in January he intended to leave after a public dispute with chairman Steve Parish, and he has recently been linked with AC Milan.
That makes the Sage deal more than a routine coaching change. Palace are trying to protect momentum after what ESPN described as an unprecedented period under Glasner, including three trophies in 12 months and a Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano.
Lens Compensation Reflects Sage's Rapid Rise
Lens owner Joseph Oughourlian was disappointed to see Sage leave after one season but respected his desire to join a Premier League club, ESPN reported.
Sage's reputation has climbed quickly. ESPN credited him with taking Lyon from the bottom of the table toward the European places, then coaching Lens to their first French Cup trophy and second place in Ligue 1.
He also won Ligue 1 Manager of the Season. Those details explain why Palace are prepared to pay compensation rather than wait for a manager out of contract.
Agreement Still Stops Short Of Official Appointment
The important distinction is that ESPN described the Palace-Lens deal as agreed in principle and near a full agreement, not as an official club announcement. No Palace contract length, backroom staff list or unveiling date was reported.
If completed, the move would give Palace a coach with recent success in France and would give Lens a 5 million euro fee for a manager who still had two years left on his deal. For a club heading into Europa League football, Palace are choosing speed and continuity over a long public search.