Olivier Pantaloni the favourite to succeed Pierre Sage at Lens | OneFootball

Pierre Sage’s move to Crystal Palace looks set to be confirmed. As per reports from L’Équipe, RMC Sport and Fabrizio Romano, an agreement for the Frenchman to make the move to Selhurst Park is imminent. RMC Sport understands that RC Lens will pocket up to €5m in the deal.

It is a departure, a surprise departure, given that Sage and Lens were set to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season, that leaves the Ligue 1 club in search of a new manager. As per L’Équipe, Olivier Pantaloni has emerged as the frontrunner to take over at the Stade Bollaert.

The Corsican manager is a free agent following his exit from FC Lorient at the end of the season. On Tuesday, it was announced that Alexandre Dujeux would replace him at the Moustoir. 

Currently in pole position to take the job at Lens, Pantaloni would link up with Yan Cahuzac, his assistant at Lorient, who also left at the end of the campaign. Le Mans FC’s Patrick Videira is also an option, but unlike Pantaloni, he is under contract. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle