Pierre Sage wants to stay at Lens as Oughourlian sets salary limits | OneFootball

Pierre Sage wants to stay as RC Lens head coach, and owner Joseph Oughourlian hopes to keep him, yet uncertainty persists as the club will not overspend.

According to L'Équipe, Sage signed a three-year contract last summer. At 47 he led a superb campaign, capped by Lens' first Coupe de France after a 3-1 win over Nice at the Stade de France, having duelled PSG for 95% of the Ligue 1 season.

That success has drawn interest from several European clubs, including Crystal Palace. Sage has said there are developments and that his intention is to remain, while monitoring the squad he would inherit this off-season. After the final he added there was no reason for the situation to change, though he acknowledged many contacts, stressed he is under contract and aims to honour it, and said he is very happy at the club.

The careful phrasing has prompted debate. Voted Ligue 1 coach of the year by his peers at the Trophées UNFP in his first full top-flight season, he could still depart despite leading Lens to the Champions League, a competition he has yet to experience as a manager.

Oughourlian reiterated his desire for continuity after the parade and return to Bollaert, but also set strict financial boundaries. He considers Sage likely to continue, while noting the coach is in demand and that the club will not break its wage structure.

He also announced the imminent arrival of a minority shareholder. With a salary estimated at 100,000€ gross per month and adored by the Lens crowd, Sage now has time to weigh the conditions on offer.

Source: L'Équipe