What happened: Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new head coach, signing the Frenchman to a three-year contract through June 2029. Sage joins the Eagles from RC Lens, where he recently led the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and a Coupe de France title. He replaces Oliver Glasner, who departed Selhurst Park after guiding the club to their historic UEFA Conference League triumph last month.

Why it matters: The appointment marks a strategic shift for the Conference League winners as they prepare for a 2026-27 Europa League campaign. Sage’s tactical success in France made him the primary target to maintain the club's upward European trajectory following Glasner's exit. Despite a 15th-place domestic finish last season, the squad remains anchored by Conference League top scorer Ismaïla Sarr.

What to watch: Sage is scheduled to officially begin his duties on July 1, with the first-team squad returning for pre-season training on July 10. Palace will await the Europa League league phase draw later this summer.