'I know the owners...' - Ex-PL CEO backs 'great' manager to succeed amid Crystal Palace talks update
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That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has revealed that Lens’ owners rate the 47-year-old “very highly” due to his work this season.Sage is in ongoing talks with the Eagles’ hierarchy over a move to appoint him as Oliver Glasner’s successor, with the Frenchman clearly ticking a lot of boxes for what Palace want from their next boss. Steve Parish owed ‘kudos’ if Pierre Sage deal is agreedEverton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that appointing Sage would “almost assure” another season of huge progress on the pitch.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The Scottish businessman shares a relationship with the owners of Lens and believes that their boss would be the right man to help take the Eagles to the next level in 2026-27 and beyond.ClubTenureGamesWDLWin %LensAugust 2025 –40284870%Lyon November 2023 – January 2025563391458.93%Sage’s managerial record, as per Transfermarkt.Speaking exclusively on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness tipped Sage to achieve “great things” if he does take the reins at Selhurst.“I know the Lens owners quite well. They also have some shares in, or at least one of the major owners has shares in Atletico Madrid,” he said.“They rate Sage very highly, and I think he is one who will emerge like we’ve seen with Glasner and (Andoni) Iraola recently.
I think he would be a great addition for Palace if they get him.“If they can pull that one off, I would expect great things, and I think that would be big news for Palace coming off the back of their European trophy as well. What he's done is incredible”. pic.twitter.com/Crw40ePK9e— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2026 “It would be a kudos to Steve Parish if he pulls this one off.”Sage keen as Crystal Palace ready ‘big’ dealFootball Insider revealed on Monday that Sage is keen on a move to Palace this summer, and the South Londoners are doing “everything they can” to convince him to join.