Tuchel's No.2 Barry emerges as frontrunner for Crystal Palace job

England assistant manager Anthony Barry has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Pierre Sage at Crystal Palace if the Frenchman is axed.

Sage has endured a difficult start to his managerial career at Selhurst Park, losing six of the Eagles’ nine Premier League games so far. That run leaves them in the drop zone, above only Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, and Barry is being considered as an alternative should Sage be relieved of his duties in South London.

Palace face Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool on Sunday in the final fixture before the international break.

And the results in those two games could prove pivotal to Sage’s job prospects at Selhurst Park.

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Mirror Sport understands 40-year-old Barry has been sounded out by Palace bosses about potentially taking on what would be his first managerial role in the Premier League.

Barry has established himself as one of the brightest young coaches in the English game, having previously worked at Bayern Munich and Chelsea at club level as well as with the Belgium and Portuguese national sides under Roberto Martinez.

Having been on Thomas Tuchel’s coaching staff at Chelsea and Bayern, the German was so impressed with Barry’s work that he appointed him as his assistant at international level over two years ago.

Like Tuchel, Barry signed a new deal with the Three Lions until the Euros in 2028. But he has attracted admiring glances from a number of Premier clubs and the chance to test himself in the top flight could prove difficult to turn down should the opportunity arise at Palace.