Thomas Frank is expected to succeed Pierre Sage as Crystal Palace manager, with the Dane likely in post for the trip to Coventry next weekend. Standard Sport understands that while a deal has not yet been agreed, the expectation from sources close to the club is that Frank will take charge at Selhurst Park.
Return to Premier League management
Frank, who has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in February, was on Palace's shortlist over the summer as they looked for a replacement for Oliver Glasner. The Eagles ultimately agreed a three-year deal with Sage, but a disastrous start to the season has seen the Frenchman relieved of his duties on Thursday with Palace bottom of the Premier League table.
Palace's immediate challenge
Frank endured a difficult spell at Spurs, who had been dragged into a relegation battle by the time he was sacked, but there remains a good deal of appreciation for his work at Brentford. During his time in west London, Frank earned promotion to the Premier League before stabilising Brentford as a top-flight club and getting them challenging for Europe on one of the smallest budgets in the division.
Frank's immediate task will be to drag Palace out of the relegation zone, starting with back-to-back fixtures against newly promoted Coventry and Hull. Palace have won just two of their first 10 league games this season, and are winless in four following last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
