Crystal Palace have identified England assistant manager Anthony Barry as a leading candidate to replace Pierre Sage. The 40-year-old coach has been sounded out by the club's hierarchy about taking on his first Premier League managerial role, with the team currently 18th in the Premier League on 7 points after 9 games, having recorded just two wins and a draw.

Barry, who signed a new contract with the Football Association to cover the 2028 European Championship, is a highly-rated figure on the international scene. He has worked under Thomas Tuchel at both Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and has also held roles with the Belgian and Portuguese national teams. His appointment would bring a coach with top-level experience to a club in urgent need of stability.

Pressure on Sage

Pierre Sage arrived at Selhurst Park last summer as the successor to Oliver Glasner. His tenure has begun disastrously, with Crystal Palace sitting 18th in the Premier League after just two wins from their opening nine matches. They have the division's worst goal difference, having conceded 21 times while scoring only nine, leaving them with a deficit of 12. A 2-0 defeat at Tottenham on October 31 was their sixth league loss of the campaign, leaving them with just 7 points, a full 17 points behind leaders Arsenal. The recent form of one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five outings across all competitions includes that loss to Tottenham, a 1-0 win at Fulham on October 28, and a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle on October 25.

The club's immediate focus is on halting their slide, with the visit of Liverpool looming large on the schedule for Sunday 8 November. That match is the final fixture before the international break, a period that could see significant change.

Barry's credentials

While no official approach has been made, Barry is understood to be open to discussions about the position. His work with England, where he is a key part of Gareth Southgate's setup, is highly regarded. The potential move represents a significant step for Barry, but also a major gamble for a Palace side desperate for points. The club's next fixture against fifth-placed Liverpool at home will be a stern test of their current state.

The report in full is at mirror.co.uk