Crystal Palace will sack Pierre Sage TODAY after disastrous 16-game spell – this is how his reign fell apart over late, intense sessions, dinner at the training ground and an unpopular assistant manager

Crystal Palace are set to sack manager Pierre Sage following a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool that left the club bottom of the Premier League. The 47-year-old Frenchman won just two of his first ten league matches during his 16-game tenure. Club chiefs and players grew increasingly frustrated with Sage's methods, which included late training sessions starting as late as 4pm, mandatory training ground dinners before matchdays, and an unpopular assistant manager in Jamal Alioui.

Palace conceded 30 goals across 16 matches under Sage, drawing criticism from chairman Steve Parish over an apparent lack of defensive preparation. Off the pitch, executive turnover and dissatisfaction under chief executive Sharon Lacey have also caused unrest. Thomas Frank is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Sage, while Sean Dyche is also considered an option.