Crystal Palace SACK Sage as rock-bottom Eagles shortlist Lampard and six others

Crystal Palace have sacked Pierre Sage following a dismal start to the season, with the Eagles sitting rock bottom of the Premier League after last Sunday's 3-1 loss to Liverpool. That was their eighth defeat in all competitions, prompting club bosses to make a change.

Sage's dismissal has made him the second top-flight manager to lose his job this season after Michael Carrick was dismissed of his Manchester United duties on Thursday morning.

Palace confirmed his axing in a club statement, reading: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as Manager. Three members of Pierre's coaching staff – Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard – have also left the club.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future. An update on the process of appointing a new manager will be provided in due course."

Former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank is the early frontrunner to take over as manager. The Dane has been out of a job since he was dismissed by Spurs in February.

Sage had been under pressure since the heavy defeat by local rivals Brighton back in mid-October, with Newcastle United and Tottenham also beating them. Draws to Hoffenheim and Besiktas in the Europa League also arrived during that period, but Palace did beat Fulham in the Carabao Cup.

That was one of their only victories this season, with Palace also beating them in the league and also claiming three points when Glasner returned to Selhurst Park with Nottingham Forest. Last weekend's defeat at home to Liverpool, however, has proven to be the final straw.

Sage could find himself back in management almost immediately, with reports in France claiming Lens are pushing to re-hire their former boss after relieving Yannick Cahuzac of his duties.

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The Palace hierarchy, meanwhile, will now turn their attention to appointing a successor. Frank is understood to be the favourite to land the job but Palace also interested in several other bosses, including Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos and Tony Popovic.

Ole Werner and Jens Berthel Askou have also emerged as two other names being considered.