Pierre Sage has now held a lengthy interview with L’Equipe to discuss how his move from RC Lens to Crystal Palace materialised.
The Frenchman admitted talks became “heated” as RC Lens and Crystal Palace discussed a compensation package, with Steve Parish eventually paying an initial €3m (£2.6m) – €2m (£1.7m) will potentially follow in bonuses.
Sage was also asked by L’Equipe for his thoughts on his first two fixtures in charge of Crystal Palace, a clash against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium before Manchester City come to Selhurst Park on Friday 28th August – the same date as the UEFA Europa League draw.
The 47-year-old interestingly chose to focus on two players rather than the Toffees and the Citizens, paying tribute to former Crystal Palace defender Jake O’Brien and Rayan Cherki.
Crystal Palace’s fixtures are out for the 2026/27 season! Which game are you most excited for? 🤔
Pierre Sage acknowledges Jake O’Brien ahead of Everton vs Crystal Palace
Parish signed off a £1m deal to sell the Irishman to Lyon back in August 2023 – whose pathway to senior football at Crystal Palace was mainly blocked by the pairing of Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins despite impressive displays for the academy.
The signings of Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi in the summer of 2023 were ultimately enough to see O’Brien depart for France.
At Lyon, the defender made 26 appearances under Sage and started to fulfil his potential – later earning a £16.8m move back to England with Everton in July 2024.
While it was only 26 games, Sage was quick to tell L’Equipe just how important O’Brien was in his coaching journey, highlighting how the Republic of Ireland international and Cherki helped him in his first managerial role in a major European league.
When asked for his reaction after hearing his first two games would be against Everton and Manchester City, the 47-year-old said: “I thought to myself, we’re going to play against Jake (O’Brien) and Rayan (Cherki).
“I won’t forget those players because we experienced something together that allowed me to experience other things afterwards. They changed my life, quite simply.”
Sage is clearly a very humble man.
Despite not working with these players for many months, the Frenchman has not forgotten about those who helped him forge a career in management – it speaks volumes that he brought up their names without even being asked.
Initial thoughts on Pierre Sage? 🤔
He can boast a 67.5% win ratio from 40 games at RC Lens 😍
Having also revealed that he turned down more money from elsewhere to manage Crystal Palace due to his dream of working in the Premier League, Parish appears to have hired a man of great integrity, as well as a very talented coach.
