Crystal Palace keep faith with Pierre Sage after Brighton rout but pressure mounts

Pierre Sage remains in charge of Crystal Palace for now. The club's hierarchy has given the Frenchman time to sort out a leaky defence after the humiliating 5-0 defeat at Brighton, a result that matched the heaviest loss against their arch-rivals in 70 years and set alarm bells ringing at Selhurst Park.

• Sage will stay on the touchline for the Europa League game at Besiktas and the Premier League clash with Newcastle.
• Crystal Palace have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season: 17 from seven matches.
• Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank are the leading contenders if the club sacks the French coach.
• Tensions between Sage and chairman Steve Parish go back to a frustrating summer transfer window.

Why Crystal Palace are sticking with Pierre Sage after the Brighton collapse

Sage's future looked bleak after his side let in three goals inside the opening ten minutes at the Amex Stadium. The defeat made Palace the leakiest defence in the division, a problem the manager must address fast if he wants to keep his job. The board, however, has opted against a kneejerk reaction: the team sit 14th and are not in immediate relegation danger.

Chairman Steve Parish has never been fully convinced by the 47-year-old since he replaced Oliver Glasner in the summer. On Sunday Parish seriously considered making a change after just ten games in charge, but ultimately decided to give him one more opportunity. Sage will lead the team in Istanbul on Thursday and against Newcastle on Sunday, with the clear warning that his position is under heavy scrutiny.

Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank are the names in the frame for Crystal Palace

Should Sage be sacked, Palace already have candidates in mind. Kieran McKenna, whom Parish approached while the Northern Irishman was at Ipswich Town, and Brentford boss Thomas Frank top the shortlist. Both fit the profile of organised, competitive football that the South London club have been chasing.

A failed transfer window that poisoned the relationship between Sage and Parish

The friction between manager and chairman dates back to the summer market. Palace failed to land the central defenders Sage had demanded to replace Maxence Lacroix and had to settle for two loan signings: Axel Disasi from Chelsea and teenager Honest Ahanor from Atalanta. The club also missed out on Malick Fofana, the Belgian winger Sage had coached in Lyon's academy and made a priority, after he joined Sunderland on deadline day.

To make up for it, Palace brought in Dario Osorio on an initial loan, but the Chilean forward has managed only a handful of minutes since arriving. A squad short on heavyweight reinforcements and questionable management decisions have fuelled internal discontent and weakened the manager's standing within the club.

The tactical calls that have unsettled the Palace board

The Jaydee Canvot case and Adam Wharton's substitution

Parish was unhappy with Sage's treatment of Jaydee Canvot, the France Under-21 international left out of the squad for the home defeat by Ipswich. He is also understood to have been angered by Adam Wharton being taken off in that same match after Disasi had been sent off in the first half. Those decisions, combined with poor results, have eroded trust in the manager at board level.

The absentees that are keeping Sage in a job for now

There are people behind the scenes at Palace pushing for Sage to be dismissed. But Parish is aware of the headache caused by Disasi's three-match suspension and the injuries to Chadi Riad and Takehiro Tomiyasu, three absences that limit the defensive options. In that scenario, the chairman would rather give Sage a chance to turn things around before making a final decision.

Chris Richards apologises to Crystal Palace supporters

I want to apologise for walking off after the game. I was emotional and embarrassed with the result, I know how much this club means to all of you. We have to take responsibility, do better and show that on the pitch.

The USA defender posted that message on Instagram after failing to acknowledge the travelling fans at Brighton. The gesture reflects the tension and frustration running through the Palace dressing room after one of the toughest afternoons in the club's recent history.

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