Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is under mounting pressure following a difficult start to his tenure at Selhurst Park. The 47-year-old French coach, who signed a three-year contract in June, finds his position subject to intense scrutiny after a run of disappointing results in the Premier League.

The immediate catalyst for the crisis is a heavy five-goal defeat to Brighton over the weekend. That loss compounded a challenging opening to the campaign that has yielded only two victories from the team's first seven league fixtures. Furthermore, Palace have leaked 17 goals during this stretch, the highest total in the division, raising significant alarms among the club hierarchy.

Succeeding Oliver Glasner was always expected to be a demanding assignment given the club's recent historic achievements. Palace supporters have grown accustomed to defensive solidity and well-organised tactical structures under previous managers like Glasner and Roy Hodgson. Conceding at a rate close to two and a half goals per match marks a sharp departure from that identity and places the team on a statistical trajectory matching historically porous defensive seasons.

Behind the scenes, however, there is some acknowledgement that Sage has inherited a turbulent situation. The club has experienced a massive player turnover over the past two years, with high-profile departures including Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, and Daniel Munoz. The loss of sporting director Dougie Freedman in 2025 has also added to the institutional upheaval at Selhurst Park.

Sage's early matches have been further complicated by the absence of key players such as Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr due to fitness concerns and personal desires to leave the club. Defensive recruitment has also been constrained by the club's efforts to comply with UEFA financial regulations, resulting in a squad reliant on free transfers and loan additions alongside inexperienced youth players.

Despite these mitigating factors, internal concerns persist regarding Sage's tactical approach and defensive organization. With critical fixtures against Besiktas and Newcastle approaching, the coming days will be pivotal for his future. Club chairman Steve Parish is known for his measured approach, having previously shown patience during past managerial friction, but further poor performances could force a change.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.