Crystal Palace could avoid Pierre Sage compensation by allowing return to Lens

Crystal Palace could avoid paying a significant compensation package to Pierre Sage if the French coach returns to Lens.

Talks over ending Sage’s three-year contract with the Premier League club are continuing, with no official announcement of his dismissal yet, according to The Guardian.

The decision to part company with Sage was taken after Palace’s 3-1 defeat by Liverpool, which was their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League. The result left the London club bottom of the table for the first time since 2017.

Sage’s possible return to Lens has emerged following the dismissal of Yannick Cahuzac.

Lens suffered a 9-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League before losing 2-1 to Marseille in the league.