Liverpool’s search for an Arne Slot replacement could well turn to France.
The Premier League giants ended their season trophyless despite a massive £450million summer splurge, and have since called time on the Dutchman.
Ex-Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola is the leading candidate to replace him, but transfer expert David Ornstein says Liverpool will also speak to RC Lens’ Pierre Sage and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness.
However, Sage has already namechecked them after his career highlight.
Fresh off of leading RC Lens to their first-ever Coupe de France, Pierre Sage told Telefoot he was open to working abroad and that the Premier League is the pinnacle.
Asked if he dreams of coaching any side in England, he responded: “Liverpool, of course.”
Now in another interview, Sage has admitted his Lens future isn’t as secure as first thought.
He told RMC Sport: “The idea is obviously to stay and continue this great project, but I must admit that there are quite a few things changing and questions are being raised, but overall, we’re still leaning heavily towards Lens.”
Sage went on to hint that he’d already had offers, and even admitted he’d be open to coaching a side not in the Champions League.
Returning to the competition with Lens, he said: “I did quite well this year, and perhaps I also want to leave that feeling and not disappoint.
“I also know that leaving would be a disappointment for some people; it’s a really mixed feeling.
“I’m still very attached to the people at this club. That’s why I’m also asking myself a lot of questions.”
Pierre Sage – France’s next big thing
Aged 47, Sage is still relatively new to coaching, having only started full-time with first-love Lyon in 2023.
Sage took OL back into the Champions League and almost won the Coupe de France in 2024, losing the final before departing amid ownership chaos.
He’s since continued to prove himself as arguably the best French coach in the game right now, winning the cup with Lens in May – their first ever – and challenging PSG for Ligue 1.
Should he convince Liverpool, he’d be only their second French coach after Gérard Houllier from 1998 to 2004.
Sage’s career has stood out for his calmness and humble attitude, something he had pointed out to him by France legend Bixente Lizarazu after his Coupe triumph.
“Roberto De Zerbi, Diego Simeone, José Mourinho — there are all these very fiery coaches,” he said.
“And you, you’re not like that at all. You’re an extremely calm coach, extremely composed, extremely educational in your approach.
“And personally, I’ve always worked well with coaches like that. I had Aimé Jacquet, I had Houllier…
“So I simply wanted to tell you that I really appreciate the calmness you project, because for me a coach has to be someone very calm in order to reassure his players. And I would really have liked to work with you.
“And honestly, I want to congratulate you for the exceptional work you’ve done and for this phenomenal start to your career — what you already achieved at Lyon and what you’re doing today with RC Lens.”
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