Pierre Sage Denies Crystal Palace Unrest After Newcastle Defeat
Pierre Sage has said Crystal Palace remain focused on finding answers despite a second straight Premier League defeat, insisting there is no internal unrest after Newcastle United won 2-0 at Selhurst Park.
Newcastle strike after the break
- Palace came into Sunday’s game on the back of a 5-0 defeat at Brighton last weekend.
- Newcastle broke the deadlock early in the second half through William Osula.
- Harvey Barnes added a second goal within 11 minutes of Osula’s opener to put the visitors in control.
- Some Palace supporters booed at full time as the hosts suffered consecutive league losses.
Sage said the reaction from the stands was understandable after another result fell short of expectations, but maintained that the work inside the club has not been affected by the scrutiny around his position.
“People want their team to win, so it is normal that patience runs out when that does not happen,” Sage said. “Internally, we are concentrating on solutions: improving, creating the right conditions to compete and continuing our work. There is no noise inside the club.”
Sage addresses Palace future
The Palace manager confirmed he spoke with chairman Steve Parish during the week, but said the conversation concerned the Newcastle match, the squad’s condition and the planned approach rather than his employment.
“We did not discuss that subject,” Sage said when asked about his job security.
He added that his priority is to get the players performing and progressing, rather than trying to influence decisions above him.
“I do not need to convince everyone around the club,” he said. “My responsibility is to get the players giving everything, competing and improving. Decisions beyond that belong to the chairman and the owners.”
Asked whether he still believed both the squad and the club’s hierarchy had faith in him, Sage replied: “Yes, I think so.”
Jaissle pleased with Newcastle response
Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle called the victory deserved after his side had lost their previous league games against Coventry and Aston Villa.
Jaissle said the group’s unity had never been in doubt, pointing to the commitment shown during the build-up to the trip to south London.
“The players believe and trust me, and they are a real unit,” he said. “Winning helps, of course, and we are happy to have three points.”
He added that Newcastle must keep responding together when setbacks arrive, with players, staff, coaches and supporters all pulling in the same direction.
