Crystal Palace supporters have barely had time to savour the Conference League triumph before the reality of a new era set in. Oliver Glasner, the Austrian who delivered the first major honours in the south London club's history, departed for Nottingham Forest at the start of July — and doing so to join the very side many Eagles fans hold partly responsible for their Europa League demotion made the news sting all the more.

Pierre Sage, the 47-year-old Frenchman appointed three weeks before Glasner's exit was confirmed, now inherits one of the more complicated jobs in the division. He arrives with considerable momentum from his work at Lens, where he guided the Ligue 1 side to a runners-up finish and the Coupe de France last season. Yet he is still to manage 100 professional matches in total, and Palace's board know they are taking a punt.

Continuity in the squad — for now

The good news for Sage is that the core of Glasner's squad remains intact, at least at the time of writing. Daichi Kamada's decision to commit to a fresh one-year contract rather than follow his former manager out of the door is a significant boost, and eight of the players who started the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last year are still on the books.

Holding on to them beyond the transfer deadline is the pressing concern. Daniel Muñoz is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, while Adam Wharton and Ismaïla Sarr are expected to draw attention from elsewhere. The window closing cannot come quickly enough for Selhurst Park.

More problematic is the hole left by Maxence Lacroix. The France defender gave the backline a natural leader and a commanding presence, and replacing that profile will go a long way to determining Palace's defensive fortunes across a long, demanding season that includes European competition.

The January window still haunting

January's outlay of around £80m on Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson already looked questionable, and the subsequent agreement to swap Johnson to Everton for Dwight McNeil seven months later has only underlined those concerns. The episode has left Sage working with a restricted summer budget at precisely the moment the squad needs freshening.

Sage's ability to recruit smartly — and cheaply — will be crucial. The noises out of the club suggest the coaching staff are working within tight parameters, with the £150m main stand project at Selhurst Park placing additional strain on the finances. Construction finally began this summer after almost a decade of planning, with completion expected by late 2028 or early 2029 and the capacity rising to 34,000. Welcome progress, but the timing is awkward.

Off-field uncertainty

The ownership picture adds another layer of complexity. Josh Harris, David Blitzer and Woody Johnson are reported to be keen to sell their combined 79% stake, leaving chairman Steve Parish — the lifelong supporter who helped rescue the club from administration in 2010 — to either persuade them to remain or locate new investment. The departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman to Saudi Arabia last March has also removed a key figure from the recruitment operation at a moment when Palace need sharp talent-spotting more than ever.

The fans' relationship with Parish is affectionate but not unconditional. Many hold him responsible for failing to strengthen the squad sufficiently after the FA Cup triumph, a decision they believe made Glasner's eventual exit inevitable.

Verdict

Guardian writers average out at 16th for Palace this season, one place below last term's finish. That feels about right given the managerial upheaval, defensive uncertainty and budget constraints. Sage has the quality of a genuine coach and showed at Lens that he can overachieve with limited resources. But the demands of a Europa League campaign on top of a Premier League battle for mid-table security represent a significant step up, and the early weeks of the campaign will tell us a great deal about whether Palace have found the right man or simply rolled the dice.

Frequently asked

Who is Crystal Palace's new manager for 2026-27?
Crystal Palace appointed Pierre Sage, the 47-year-old French coach, as their new manager following Oliver Glasner's departure to Nottingham Forest in July 2026. Sage had previously guided Lens to second place in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France.
Will Crystal Palace be in the Europa League in 2026-27?
Yes, Crystal Palace are competing in the UEFA Europa League in 2026-27, adding to the demands on new manager Pierre Sage and placing extra strain on a squad that faces uncertainty in the transfer window.
What happened with Brennan Johnson at Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace signed Brennan Johnson for around £80m as part of January transfer window spending but later agreed a deal with Everton to swap him for Dwight McNeil just seven months later. The episode has restricted Palace's summer budget heading into 2026-27.