Crystal Palace have opened discussions with Pierre Sage regarding their vacant managerial position. Sage, who took charge at Lens in June last year, guided the French club to a remarkable second-place Ligue 1 finish and secured their first-ever Coupe de France triumph in the club's 120-year history. His impressive track record has caught Palace's attention as they seek stability.

The Eagles are taking a measured approach to their search, wanting to evaluate all options before making a final decision. This follows Oliver Glasner's January announcement that he'll depart when his contract expires this summer, despite leading Palace to FA Cup success and Conference League qualification. Several names are in the frame, including Frank Lampard whose stock has risen after Coventry's Championship title and Premier League promotion.

However, financial obstacles could complicate certain appointments. Lampard still has 12 months remaining on his Coventry deal, meaning Palace would face a significant compensation package. Similarly, Kieran McKenna commands substantial wages at Ipswich and carries a minimum £5m release clause, making him expensive to extract. These costs may prove prohibitive for the Selhurst Park hierarchy.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller, ex-Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, and Sean Dyche represent more straightforward options as all three are currently unattached. Palace's methodical search reflects their desire to find the right candidate rather than rush into an appointment that could shape their Premier League future.