Crystal Palace are weighing up the future of manager Pierre Sage after a difficult start to the season left the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League heading into the international break.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool was Palace's fourth consecutive league loss. Sage's side have claimed just two wins from their opening 10 Premier League matches, accumulating a mere seven points and conceding a league-worst 24 goals.

Frank and Dyche in the frame

The club have held internal discussions about Sage's position and his potential replacement. Former Brentford and Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate to take over, while ex-Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche also carries support within the club. Both men are currently unattached and could begin work immediately if called upon.

Palace's troubles extend beyond the Premier League — they sit 21st in the UEFA Europa League, with only one win from four group matches, leaving them in a play-off position.

Sage's difficult spell

Should Sage be dismissed, he would become the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season. The 47-year-old Frenchman was handed a three-year contract in June following Oliver Glasner's departure at the end of last season.

Glasner — now manager of Nottingham Forest — left behind a remarkable legacy at Selhurst Park, having guided Palace to their first-ever FA Cup title and a UEFA Europa Conference League triumph. Sage, who previously steered Lens to a runners-up finish in Ligue 1 and their first French Cup in 120 years, has so far been unable to match that standard.

Palace's current losing run began with a heavy 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on 11 October. After that result, Sage admitted he felt