Pierre Sage hasn’t had the easiest introduction to English football, but Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish believes the Frenchman has handled a difficult opening period extremely well.
Pierre Sage arrived at Selhurst Park as Oliver Glasner’s successor with plenty to deal with from the beginning. Crystal Palace had a disrupted pre-season, several players returned late after the World Cup and the Eagles opened their Premier League campaign with two defeats.
There was also plenty happening away from the pitch during a busy transfer window. Yet, two months into his reign, Sage appears to be getting Palace moving in the right direction.
Steve Parish believes the mood around the club has changed significantly.
“After quite a lot of upheaval, it feels OK,” Parish told The Athletic. “We’re all still on high alert, but it feels quite good.”
That is perhaps the clearest summary of Palace’s situation so far. There is still plenty of work ahead, but the early chaos has started to settle.
Parish impressed by Sage’s adjustment
One of the biggest challenges for Sage has been adapting to life in a completely new environment.
This is his first experience managing in England, meaning he has had to adjust to a new league, a new club and a new country. Parish knows that process takes time and has been impressed by the way his manager has approached it.
“There’s a huge amount (to learn) when you come to a new country,” Parish said.
He also revealed that Sage is continuing to work on his English, while his family remains mainly in France.
Despite all those changes, Parish believes Sage’s results compare favourably with what could reasonably have been expected.
“After seven matches, three wins, three defeats and a draw are by no means a bad start. When you consider everything he’s had to deal with, he’s done really well.”
That record has come after a preparation period that was far from straightforward. Palace had several players away at the World Cup for longer than expected, leaving Sage and his staff with limited time to properly prepare the squad.
Parish feels that makes the manager’s progress even more encouraging.
Palace chairman dismisses talk of tensions
There have been suggestions of tension around some of Sage’s decisions, including reports surrounding young defender Jaydee Canvot.
Parish wasn’t interested in giving those claims much attention.
“I can’t control what people gossip about or what they write. We’re just as we always are: fully focused on moving the club forward together and having a good season. Everyone’s pulling in the same direction, and we’re looking ahead.”
Instead, the Palace chairman insists the players are enjoying working under Sage and believes the manager has earned the authority to make the final calls.
“Managers get input from everyone else, but in the end they make the decisions.”
As far as Parish is concerned, Sage’s choices are already producing encouraging signs.
“they look like good ones.”
The chairman also pointed to just how difficult Palace’s preparation had been. Alongside the World Cup disruption, the club were dealing with a large number of new players and a new coaching team.
“You’ve got a brand new manager, a very fractured pre-season and lots of new players. There wasn’t anything we could have done about it, though.”
Parish’s final message was clear. Palace may still be adapting, but he believes Sage and his staff have handled the circumstances impressively.
“Pierre, his staff and everybody have done really, really well to get us to this point so far.”
