Crystal Palace’s head coach Pierre Sage has publicly denied that the club’s hierarchy and players have turned their backs on him, despite the team’s fourth‑straight defeat and a 2‑0 loss to Newcastle at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The defeat extended Palace’s winless run to four matches and left the club only two points above the relegation zone, with eight games remaining in the Premier League season.
Sage, who guided Lens to a French Cup triumph and a runners‑up finish in Ligue 1 last season, said that the “noise” surrounding the club is simply the normal pressure that comes with a lack of results. He insisted that he still has the full confidence of his squad and the club’s senior staff. “I think they do believe in me,” he told reporters. “It’s normal to be under pressure because we don’t have the results. Inside, we are focused on solutions, on how to be better and create the conditions to compete.” Sage added that he has spoken with the chairman about the team’s performance and strategy, but not about any potential changes to his role.
The 2‑0 loss to Newcastle was a repeat of the early‑season pattern of conceding goals in the first ten minutes of games. Palace have already given up 19 goals in the Premier League, the most in the division, and their possession figures are the lowest in the league. Sage acknowledged that the team’s defensive record is a major concern and said that keeping the ball is key to preventing goals. “If you have the ball you can’t concede,” he explained. “But there are other ways to reduce the number of goals.” He also admitted that the team’s lack of ball mastery and mental lapses contributed to the defeat, noting that Palace failed to control the tempo after the halftime talk.
Looking ahead, Sage remains optimistic that Palace can turn their fortunes around with time. He said he expected a better start to the campaign and that the club’s future will be decided by the chairman and owners once the season progresses. “I just have to convince the players to do their best and continue their improvement,” he said. The club will need to address its defensive frailties and possession issues if it hopes to climb out of the relegation zone before the winter break.