Pierre Sage given 'three weeks' to save his job at Crystal Palace
Pierre Sage will be given until the November international break to save his job at Crystal Palace, sources have told Football Insider.
The 47-year-old is coming under intense pressure at Selhurst Park as a result of their recent downturn in form, with a 5-0 defeat against Brighton raising alarm bells.
Despite an impressive performance in their last game, a 2-2 draw against Bestiktas saw their defensive frailties exposed again, with some behind the scenes losing patience.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Crystal Palace are eyeing the upcoming international break as the ideal time to make a change.
While they remain keen to back Sage and hope he will turn things around, having decided against pulling the trigger after the Brighton game, they remain on very high alert.
Will Pierre Sage be sacked by Crystal Palace?
Former Man United coach Mick Brown told Football Insider on 19 October that Crystal Palace will be left with "no choice" but to sack Sage if their recent results continue.
While their performance did improve in the Europa League clash with Besiktas, their issues with conceding goals have not yet been addressed, leading to concerns.
With the manager's position firmly in the balance, Palace are looking to see an immediate improvement, and have already outlined a timeline for a change at the top.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Pressue is definitely on Pierre Sage, it's been a below-par start to the season with just two wins in the Premier League.
"Even then, you could say they weren't the most convincing wins against Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
"They wanted to show a response in the Besiktas game to the hammering they got at the hands of their rivals Brighton which obviously didn't go down well with anybody at the club.
"We're getting closer to that next international break in November, I think it's about three weeks away, and that's the time when the club will have an opportunity if they want to make a change.
"It gives them time to go out and find a replacement, because there's no getting away from the fact it has been a slow start for Pierre Sage."
Who is on Crystal Palace's shortlist of replacements?
With Crystal Palace on the verge of sacking Sage, speculation is rife about who the Eagles will target to replace their manager, regardless of when they pull the trigger.
A number of big names are being considered behind the scenes, with multiple voices within the Palace hierarchy advocating for different bosses to take over.
Football Insider revealed on 19 October that Rob Edwards, Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank make up a three-man shortlist of targets to replace Sage at Selhurst Park.
Sources say Palace sporting director Matt Hobbs is pushing for Edwards' appointment, having previously worked with him at Wolves, with the boss currently out of work.
Dyche, meanwhile, is a favourite of Palace ally Iain Moody, while Frank was a leading contender for the position before Sage's appointment during the summer.