Allan Saint-Maximin has described Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage as one of the best coaches he has worked with, as the under-pressure Frenchman prepares to face Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The season is only seven games old, but pressure is already building on several Premier League managers. While Michael Carrick's position at Manchester United is the most high-profile to come into question, Newcastle will be looking to turn up the heat on Sage when the two sides meet.
Sage's Difficult Start at Palace
Sage only arrived at Selhurst Park in the summer, tasked with replacing Oliver Glasner, who brought FA Cup and Conference League silverware for the first time in the Eagles' history. Sage had impressed at French side Lens, winning the French Cup last season, but has already suffered heavy defeats with his new side, including a 5-0 drubbing by Brighton last weekend that has led some to question his position.
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle needs a positive result this weekend after his side lost back-to-back Premier League games against Coventry and Aston Villa, but knows Palace are also looking to bounce back.
Saint-Maximin's Praise for Sage
Sage may not be well known in England, but he has a big fan in former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman joined Sage's Lens in 2026 after leaving Club America in Mexico, and helped them to that French Cup success, before leaving for MLS side Charlotte FC this summer.
As part of an emotional farewell, he made it clear what he thought of the Palace-bound manager. “Coach, it is also because of you that I came," he wrote on X when leaving Lens at the end of last season. "Thank you for trusting me. You have been one of the best coaches that I have had in my whole career. I hope that we will meet again one day!”
Team News for Selhurst Park Clash
Newcastle could welcome back Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey to the squad for the game at Selhurst Park, with Matias Fernandez-Pardo a doubt after an illness this week.
