Pierre Sage has revealed that his long-held ambition to coach in the Premier League played a decisive role in his decision to leave RC Lens for Crystal Palace. Speaking to L’Équipe, the former Lyon head coach reflected on his unconventional managerial journey and explained why the opportunity to move to England arrived at the right moment in his career. Sage insisted his decision was not focused on the financial aspect of coaching in the top division of English football. 

“If I had really been the mercenary some people wanted to make me out to be, I would have gone to Saudi Arabia and earned ten times more,” he said. “There were offers with salary conditions I had never imagined in my life, far higher than Palace’s… My logic wasn’t financial; it was to coach in the Premier League.”

The Frenchman was appointed by Palace after an impressive campaign with Lens, guiding the club to second place in Ligue 1 and lifting the Coupe de France. His success established him as one of France’s brightest coaching talents, but the chance to test himself in English football ultimately proved impossible to refuse, according to the French coach.