It’s not fairly often a membership has a supervisor who can fully overhaul the mentality and fortunes on the pitch, however there’s no denying Oliver Glasner did precisely that at Crystal Palace.
His departure from Selhurst Park was a bitter blow, however the appointment of Pierre Sage was seen as a possibility to construct on the outstanding work performed by the Austrian.
Nonetheless, simply 15 video games into his tenure as Eagles boss, it’s protected to say the Frenchman is already on borrowed time and will face the prospect of dropping his job.
Why Sage is on borrowed time as Palace supervisor
Such was the success endured below Glasner’s steering, filling his boots was at all times going to be a frightening activity for Sage, but it surely seems as if these boots have been lots greater than he anticipated.
The 47-year-old has solely claimed two victories within the Premier League since his arrival, which has left the Eagles caught within the relegation locations after the primary 9 video games of the marketing campaign.
His facet have shipped a exceptional 21 objectives in the course of the aforementioned interval, with such a file by far and away the worst of any facet in England’s top-flight.
Such a file, coupled with the measly tally of simply 9 objectives scored – the joint-third worst within the division – is at all times going to result in a recipe for catastrophe.
Even in Europe, his males have did not stay as much as expectations, with Palace solely profitable considered one of their first encounters on this yr’s version of the Europa League.
Thursday’s displaying in opposition to Hoffenheim was one which the Eagles have been lucky to get some extent out of, having registered fewer pictures and touches within the opposition field in comparison with the German outfit.
Why Mateta has struggled to ship below Sage’s steering
Over current seasons, striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been Crystal Palace’s fundamental talisman and has undoubtedly allowed for the membership to endure their current spree of silverware.
The Frenchman has netted 52 objectives throughout all competitions within the final three seasons, however even he’s struggling to offer the products inside Sage’s system.
He’s featured six instances throughout all competitions this time period, however has solely managed to seek out the again of the online as soon as – along with his solely effort coming in opposition to Besiktas final month.
You actually don’t develop into a foul participant in a single day, which suggests the supervisor’s present philosophy is limiting the attacker from emulating his earlier goalscoring exploits.
|
Palace high PL scorers since 2023/24 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Participant |
PL Targets |
|
1 |
Jean-Philippe Mateta |
42 |
|
2 |
Eberechi Eze |
19 |
|
3 |
Ismaïla Sarr |
17 |
|
4 |
Michael Olise |
10 |
|
5 |
Daniel Muñoz |
8 |
|
6 |
Odsonne Édouard |
7 |
|
7= |
Jordan Ayew |
4 |
|
7= |
Eddie Nketiah |
4 |
Mateta began and featured for 75 minutes of the draw with Hoffenheim on Thursday, however might solely register 17 touches of the ball – a median of 1 each 4 and a half minutes, which is one other indication of his struggles.
Why 4-2-3-1 boss would make Mateta unstoppable once more
After such a disappointing begin to the brand new marketing campaign, Sage’s job is actually below quite a lot of scrutiny and rightfully so, with a change probably on the horizon.
Nonetheless, if the Eagles are to tug away from any looming menace of relegation, it’s important that the hierarchy make the proper choice with any appointment to interchange the Frenchman.
A supervisor who would work wonders at Selhurst Park is former Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank – who is aware of precisely what’s required to be aggressive within the Premier League.
The Dane has always been touted for the job in South London over the past 12 months, however he’s as soon as once more on the membership’s radar amid the current struggles below Sage.
It’s unclear if any transfer for the 53-year-old is within the pipeline, however he’s the supervisor who ought to be chosen to fill the void ought to the board determine on a change in path.
Throughout his time at Brentford, he led the Bees to 3 top-half finishes in England’s top-flight, which is strictly the development the Eagles want after their current trophy haul.
Nonetheless, the most important promoting level to any potential appointment of Frank is his capacity to get the easiest out of the attacking choices he has at his disposal.
The likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney each starred throughout his time in control of Brentford, with the aforementioned duo each managing to web no less than 20 league objectives in a single season.
Each of the aforementioned duo registered over 30 top-flight objectives for Brentford in the course of the Dane’s tenure, which subsequently made the pair two of probably the most in-demand abilities in Europe.
The pair additionally each endured seasons the place they netted 20+ objectives in such a division, with the supervisor in a position to extract probably the most of their skillset throughout the capital.
In consequence, Frank, who operates with a 4-2-3-1 system, may very well be the right supervisor to get the most effective out of Mateta and permit him to achieve new heights at Selhurst Park.
His bodily and medical nature makes him the best centre-forward for the Dane, who beforehand praised Toney for comparable property throughout his profitable tenure at Brentford.
Undoubtedly, his failed spell at Spurs will forged doubt within the minds of the Eagles trustworthy, but it surely ought to be seen as a uncommon blip in a considerably excellent managerial profession.
It nonetheless stays unclear if the Palace board will determine to tug the set off and half methods with Sage, however in any eventuality, Frank is the person who ought to be high of their shortlist.
