Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage admits the opportunity to coach in the Premier League was too good to turn down as he prepares for an emotional return to former club Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 47-year-old Frenchman, who began his top-flight managerial career at Lyon in November 2023, will return to familiar surroundings when Palace face the Ligue 1 side in European competition.
Sage has joined an exclusive group of French managers to have coached in England's top flight, following in the footsteps of Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger and former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
"I am the 10th French coach to have worked in the Premier League and the slightly crazy thing is that I am the first to have done so without having had 100 matches as a manager," Sage told AFP.
"Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier did incredible things here. When the opportunity comes along you obviously say to yourself that it might not come up again."
Sage's managerial rise has been remarkable. When he took charge of Lyon in November 2023, the seven-time French champions were bottom of Ligue 1 and facing the prospect of relegation.
Appointed by then-owner John Textor, who previously held a significant stake in Crystal Palace, Sage transformed Lyon's fortunes despite having no previous top-flight managerial experience.
Under his leadership, Lyon secured European qualification and reached the French Cup final, completing an extraordinary turnaround.
However, his tenure ended abruptly when he was dismissed midway through the following season.
After unsuccessful discussions with Championship club Queens Park Rangers, Sage returned to management at Lens, where he enjoyed another outstanding campaign.
He guided the northern French club to their first French Cup triumph and a second-place Ligue 1 finish behind Paris Saint-Germain.
Those achievements attracted considerable attention, with Crystal Palace eventually appointing him as Oliver Glasner's successor.
Despite his excitement about managing in England, Sage admitted that accepting the Palace position was not straightforward.
"It was a difficult decision because we had such an incredible year (at Lyon), historic even, that I could sense what kind of impact it might have," he explained.
"But at some point you also have to think of yourself and that is what led me to my decision."
A former amateur goalkeeper, Sage worked his way through the coaching ranks before becoming head of Lyon's youth academy.
His progression into senior management has been rapid, and he now faces the challenge of adapting to the demands of English football.
The financial differences between the Premier League and Ligue 1 are significant, with Palace possessing considerably greater resources than Lyon, who have struggled amid the financial difficulties affecting French football.
Sage endured a difficult start to life at Selhurst Park, losing his first two matches in charge.
However, Palace have shown signs of improvement, most recently securing an impressive 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Eagles have also made a strong start to their Europa League campaign, defeating Polish side Lech Poznan 4-0 in their opening fixture.
Having won the Conference League last season, Palace are determined to establish themselves as a competitive force in European football.
Sage believes the intensity of Premier League football is one of the biggest differences he has encountered since arriving in England.
"Compared to France, matches are always played at the same level of intensity by both teams," he said.
"It is very rare that a team sits back, tries to shut down the spaces and lets you play."
Thursday's encounter carries additional significance because of the recent history between Crystal Palace, Lyon and former investor John Textor.
Palace were prevented from competing in the Europa League last season under UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations because of Textor's involvement with both clubs.
The Eagles subsequently competed in the Conference League, while Lyon retained their Europa League place.
Lyon are again participating in Europe's second-tier competition this season after failing to progress through the Champions League preliminary rounds.
For Sage, returning to the club where his managerial career took off will be a particularly emotional occasion.
"The first thing I dreamed of when I left Lyon was that I hadn't left at all," he joked.
"Being sacked is part of the job. It was more leaving Lyon that was difficult for me."
Despite those memories, the Frenchman is firmly focused on building a successful future in south London.
He believes Palace have the squad depth and quality required to compete in both the Premier League and Europa League.
"With the quality we have, if we rotate the squad in the right way we can compete in both competitions," Sage concluded.
For Sage, Thursday's trip to Lyon represents more than a European fixture. It is an opportunity to revisit the club that launched his managerial career while demonstrating how far he has progressed on his journey to the Premier League.
