Lens have ‘no anger’ towards Sage after Palace switch

Lens insist they have “no anger” towards former head coach Pierre Sage after he decided to leave the club after just one season.

Sage was named Crystal Palace manager on Monday, taking over from Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park following a successful season with Lens.

The 47-year-old guided Lens to their first-ever Coupe de France title, defeating Nice 3-1 in the final, while they also finished second in Ligue 1.

Sage won 22 of his 34 top-flight games with Lens (D4 L8) as they finished six points behind champions Paris Saint-Germain, achieving Champions League qualification in the process.

Although his decision to leave Lens for Palace, who won the Conference League in 2025-26, came as a shock to many, the French club hold no grudges towards Sage.

“There is no anger, our job is to manage offers, potential departures and arrivals. In the world of modern football, this also concerns coaches, but the project remains in place,” explained the General Manager of Lens, Benjamin Parrot.

Connexion établie : Nouveau chapitre lancé #Toppmöller2028 pic.twitter.com/4tIjNAzjm1

— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) June 16, 2026

Lens have since appointed Dino Toppmoller as their new head coach, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach signing a two-year deal.

His first competitive game in charge will come against PSG in the Trophee des Champions on August 18, while Lens start their 2026-27 league campaign against Auxerre.