Pierre Sage has been given additional time to address Crystal Palace’s defensive difficulties but faces increasing pressure following a heavy 5-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday. The defeat, which saw Palace concede three goals within the first 10 minutes, matched the club’s record for their worst loss to arch-rivals in 70 years and underlined the team’s ongoing struggles at the back.

Since the start of the Premier League season, Crystal Palace have conceded 17 goals in seven matches, the highest tally in the league. The result has intensified scrutiny on Sage, who was appointed over the summer to replace Oliver Glasner.

Steve Parish, the club chair, reportedly had reservations about Sage even prior to the recent defeat. Although Parish considered terminating Sage’s contract after ten games, he ultimately decided to maintain the manager’s position as Palace currently sit 14th in the league standings and are not facing immediate relegation threats.

Sage is expected to remain in charge for the upcoming Europa League tie against Besiktas on Thursday, as well as the Premier League fixture versus Newcastle on Sunday. Despite this, the manager’s position remains precarious amid ongoing internal tensions. Parish had previously approached Northern Irish coach Kieran McKenna during his tenure at Ipswich, and Thomas Frank is also suggested as a potential candidate should a change be made.

Relations between Sage and Parish reportedly soured during the summer transfer window. Palace struggled to acquire the defensive reinforcements Sage sought to replace Maxence Lacroix, and the club missed out on signing Malick Fofana from Sunderland on deadline day, despite the forward being a priority target for Sage, who had previously worked with Fofana at Lyon’s youth academy.

Additional sources of friction include Parish’s dissatisfaction with Sage’s handling of Jaydee Canvot, who was omitted from the squad for the home defeat against Ipswich last month. Parish was also reportedly displeased when Adam Wharton was substituted after the team received a red card for Disasi in the first half of the same match.

Within the club, some individuals have advocated for Sage’s dismissal. Nonetheless, Parish is understood to recognize the challenges posed by Disasi’s current three-match suspension along with injuries to Chadi Riad and Takehiro Tomiyasu, making him reluctant to make a hasty decision.

In the aftermath of the defeat at Brighton, USA defender Chris Richards publicly apologized to Palace supporters for not acknowledging them following the match. Writing on Instagram, Richards said he was “emotional and embarrassed” by the result and emphasized the team’s need to “take responsibility, do better and show that on the pitch.”