Alan Pardew has been speaking about Crystal Palace and Pierre Sage on talkSPORT.
The former Crystal Palace boss was on air to discuss Sage as the Eagles close in on the Frenchman, who has agreed to replace Oliver Glasner on a deal running until June 2029.
As the conversation went on, Pardew was asked whether he feels Glasner departs Selhurst Park as the greatest manager in the history of Crystal Palace. Interestingly, the 64-year-old believes Steve Coppell narrowly edges the Austrian.
Initial thoughts on Pierre Sage? 🤔
He can boast a 67.5% win ratio from 40 games at RC Lens 😍
Alan Pardew explains why Steve Coppell sits above Oliver Glasner
The man who made 170 appearances for Crystal Palace and also oversaw 87 games as manager told talkSPORT: “I’ve still got Steve Coppell above him. The reason I’ve got Steve Coppell above him is only because he finished second in Division One by the way, second! In the whole league, on a budget, which was ridiculous!
“Found the likes of Ian Wright, Geoff Thomas, etc. I still have Steve Coppell as my number one Crystal Palace (manager) of all time, but Oliver, firmly planted in as number two, winning the trophies and the way he conducted himself (throughout) that period in January, when he decided to make it clear he was leaving.”
Of course, nobody can deny Coppell did a remarkable job at Selhurst Park, and his efforts put Crystal Palace up in lights as a football club.
However, the ultimate goal – the primary reason anybody is involved in football – is to win silverware.
Glasner – who is close to joining AC Milan – not only secured one trophy, but leaves south London with three pieces of silverware, a quite remarkable achievement for any team within the space of 12 months, let alone a club the size of Crystal Palace.
Which felt better, winning the FA Cup or the UEFA Conference League?
The 51-year-old will be an exceptionally tough act for Sage to follow, but having guided RC Lens to the Coupe de France for the first time ever last season, the Frenchman is clearly capable of working miracles too.
