Crystal Palace sack Pierre Sage after five months as Thomas Frank talks advance

Crystal Palace have dismissed manager Pierre Sage after only five months in charge, with the club bottom of the Premier League.

Reports say negotiations are at an advanced stage with Thomas Frank, the former Brentford and Tottenham manager, over succeeding Sage.

Sage’s departure follows Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by Liverpool, which was Crystal Palace’s fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League.

The club have won just two of their opening 10 league matches and have the division’s worst defensive record, having conceded 24 goals.

Their form has also been poor in the Europa League. Crystal Palace are 21st in the 36-team table after winning only one of their first four matches in the competition.

A club statement said: “The club thanks Pierre and his coaching staff for their efforts during their time in south London and wishes them all the best for the future.”

It added: “Updates on the process of appointing a new head coach will be announced in due course.”

Sage is the second Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following Michael Carrick, who left Manchester United on Thursday.

The 47-year-old Frenchman was appointed by Crystal Palace in June on a three-year contract, replacing Oliver Glasner after the Austrian’s departure at the end of the previous season.

Sage had previously guided Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and led the club to the first Coupe de France title in its 120-year history.

Crystal Palace have not won a Premier League match since 11 October. Their run of defeats began with a heavy 5-0 loss against rivals Brighton.

The club’s next league fixture is against Coventry on 21 November, following the international break.

Frank was dismissed by Tottenham in February, less than eight months after taking charge. He left the club 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone, after a run of eight successive matches without a league victory.