Crystal Palace target cup winning boss as Andoni Iraola expected to become Liverpool manager

Crystal Palace are exploring a move for highly-rated Lens manager Pierre Sage, talkSPORT understands.

Palace are looking at alternative targets after their hopes of landing Andoni Iraola faded, as reported on Thursday.

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Sage led Lens to French cup glory and second place in Ligue 1 this season.

Sources have told talkSPORT Palace never got as far as offering a contract to Iraola.

However, they made it clear he would be their first choice if he wanted the job.

Outgoing Bournemouth boss Iraola is now expected to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Conference League winners Palace must replace Oliver Glasner this summer, who will leave at the end of his contract.

Who is Pierre Sage?

The 47-year-old is a former Lyon manager who guided Lens to the Coupe de France for the first time in their history.

He was only hired by Lens last summer, but has been the architect of their success, also importantly guiding them into the Champions League places.

Naturally, this has meant there has been speculation over his future.

However, in a recent interview he cast doubt over a possible move away.

“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,” he told beIN Sports. 

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Man City star Rayan Cherki is a big fan of Sage from his time at Lyon too.

He credits the Frenchman with restoring calm into the Lyon dressing room.

Speaking to L’Equipe and Prime Video Sport France about Sage during his time at Lyon, Cherki said: “The coach brought back the serenity we needed so much. He knows how to talk to players, he understands how we feel.

“With him, there is no pretending. He gives us freedom while establishing a very clear framework. It’s exactly what we needed.”

He added: “He knows how to push my buttons, he knows how to talk to me to get the best out of me.

“He gives me the keys to create on the pitch, but he also reminds me of my defensive duties. It is a relationship based on an indispensable mutual trust.”

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Who else could Crystal Palace target?

Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been mooted as a possible alternative after failing to land Iraola.

Getting the recently promoted ex-Chelsea man out of his Coventry contract could prove to be a major stumbling block.

Kieran McKenna, Pierre Sage, Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank have also been discussed as options.