Crystal Palace are preparing to part ways with manager Pierre Sage following Sunday's 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool, with Thomas Frank emerging as the early frontrunner to take over at Selhurst Park.
Sage's position has been under serious scrutiny for weeks, with Palace heading into the November international break sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table after winning just two and losing seven of their first 10 games this season. The Eagles have the worst defence in the Premier League with 24 goals conceded so far, and Sage has run out of time to convince the club's decision-makers that he is the right man for the job.
Frank leads the race
Out of work since being sacked by Tottenham in February, Thomas Frank was one of several candidates Palace looked at to succeed Oliver Glasner in the summer and is the early frontrunner to replace Sage. Frank's reputation is in need of rehabilitation, and it is unclear how much of a toll his torrid eight-month spell in charge of Spurs took, but he remains highly regarded after his work with Brentford.
Frank released a statement in June saying he was taking some time out of football before his next job, so the Dane may be unwilling to jump into a role so soon after the season has started.
Other contenders in the frame
Kieran McKenna, who made the shock decision to leave Ipswich after earning promotion back to the Premier League, is another manager who stepped away from football over the summer. McKenna's patient, possession-based style would constitute a dramatic change in tactics for Palace, but the Northern Irishman is comfortable using a three-man defence when his team has the ball.
Bringing in former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe would be considered quite the coup for Palace. The Englishman has attracted interest from Manchester United amid ongoing doubts over Michael Carrick's future and guided Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory in 2025. Howe is actively open to new opportunities, but is said to be willing to wait for an elite, high-profile job, which could leave Palace out of the running.
Dyche and others considered
Sean Dyche's pragmatic approach is a far cry from the expansive, counter-attacking football Palace fans have been used to under Glasner and, to a lesser extent, Sage. Dyche's Premier League experience, especially given that Palace will have one eye on ensuring they stay in the top-flight, makes him an attractive proposition for those in the boardroom.
Coventry boss Frank Lampard is reportedly under consideration for the Palace job despite signing only a new contract with the promoted Sky Blues in June. Lampard is a long-standing target and one of several other candidates Palace are reportedly eyeing up alongside Kim Hellberg and Vitor Matos, who have led Middlesbrough and Swansea, respectively, towards the top of the Championship table this term.
Free agent Vitor Pereira is also said to be on Palace's shortlist, while Australia head coach and former Palace captain Tony Popovic could be a surprise contender. England assistant Anthony Barry is a risky but potentially intriguing appointment, while former Wolves boss Rob Edwards is well known to Palace sporting director Matt Hobbs.
