Crystal Palace now keen on appointing “exceptionally skilled” 4-2-3-1 Frank alternative

Crystal Palace are keen on hiring an “exceptionally skilled” manager as a replacement for Pierre Sage, having identified him as an alternative to Thomas Frank.

Sage’s stock was high when he arrived at Selhurst Park in the summer, after leading Lens to French Cup glory last season, but the 47-year-old has made a very poor start to life in the Premier League.

As we head into the second international break of the campaign, the Eagles find themselves bottom of the Premier League table, and they have now lost their last four matches on the spin.

Palace’s main problem has been their terrible defensive record, shipping 24 goals in their opening ten matches, which is four more than any other side in the top flight.

Following a disastrous start to the campaign, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Sage is on the verge of losing his job, and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank is in pole position to replace the Frenchman.

Frank could be a safe pair of hands, having kept Brentford in the top flight for four straight seasons, but the Dane isn’t the only manager under consideration.

Crystal Palace eyeing move for Kim Hellberg

According to a report from Sky Sports, Crystal Palace are also keen on appointing Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg, who has been identified as an alternative to Frank.

Hellberg is joined on the shortlist by Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard, Vitor Pereira, Vitor Matos and Tony Popovic, so there certainly isn’t a shortage of options for the Eagles.

Appointing the Boro boss, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, could be viewed as a gamble, as he has no experience in the Premier League, but his side have been performing very well in the Championship this season, and currently sit second in the table.

Journalist Anel Avdic has also spoken very highly of the 38-year-old, describing him as “exceptionally skilled”, before also adding: “In the media, he is articulate and an effective communicator. Over the years, I’ve appreciated his straightforward personality and his ability to handle people. As a character, he’s very talkative, very energetic and enthusiastic.”

That said, Frank may be the better option, considering he has already proven himself in the top flight, taking charge of 178 matches in the competition across spells with Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur.

With a relegation battle this season looking increasingly likely, Palace need to appoint a manager capable of keeping them up, and the 53-year-old was never relegated with the Bees after guiding them to the Premier League back in 2021.