Liverpool have reportedly spoken to Lens manager Pierre Sage about their vacant managerial position after sacking Arne Slot.
Reds supporters had not expected their club to be looking for a new head coach this summer, but after the surprise news of Slot’s dismissal arrived on Saturday, there are already a few names in the frame.
Andoni Iraola is the current favourite, but, according to The Athletic, Sebastian Hoenes and Sage are also ‘under consideration’ by Liverpool.
Is Andoni Iraola the best option to replace Arne Slot? If not, who would you appoint?
Hoeness is a relative unknown to English fans, but having delivered a couple of very good seasons with Stuttgart, he has his supporters amongst the Reds’ fanbase. Sage, on the other hand, may be a complete unknown to many.
As French journalist Fabrice Hawkins noted on Saturday, Liverpool even went as far as sending an envoy to speak with Sage as far back as January. So, as Liverpool weigh up who should follow Slot into the Anfield dugout, Rousing The Kop have taken a look at what fans could expect from the current Lens manager.
Sage excels in second season as a manager
If Sage is unknown in English terms, then he is hardly a superstar in France either. At least, he was not until delivering a remarkable season with Lens in 2025/26.
The 47-year-old had held only two jobs before taking over the Red and Gold in June last year, one with lower league side Chambery for one year in his early 30s, and the second at Lyon, whom he from November 2023 to January 2025, turning Les Gones from relegation candidates to European finishers and cup finalists.
READ MORE: Coach had already quit job and ‘packed bags’ to join Arne Slot at Liverpool before surprise sacking
But despite his inexperience, Sage has done a brilliant job. His second-place finish was the club’s best since 1998, and he then recorded a piece of history by delivering the club their first ever Coupe de France title.
That was enough to see him deservedly named Ligue 1 Coach of the Year ahead of Luis Enrique, and it was less than one week ago that Sage declared his dream of managing Liverpool. At the time that sounded somewhat far-fetched, but not any more.
What style of football does Sage like?
Although Sage would fit with what Liverpool supporters like to see from their team, advocating for fast, attacking build-up play, it is also worth pointing out that he has played with a 3-4-3 at Lens.
It seems probable that Liverpool discounted Xabi Alonso from the running due to a clash of systems, and this would seemingly be no different under Sage.
What was your biggest frustration with Arne Slot as Liverpool head coach?
Click below to find out why staff at Anfield were equally as annoyed with the Dutchman
This may not be a huge issue in that the Frenchman is still a relatively inexperienced manager, and he may be willing to adapt.
Sage also likes his team to play with a high press, something Liverpool have been badly missing in the last year under Slot.
Lens love creating overloads and are flexible in their play, which would undoubtedly appeal to supporters and is attractive to watch. They conceded only 34 goals in Ligue 1 last season, the second lowest in the division, while scoring 66, only eight less than the attacking riches of PSG.
Though this all sounds good, there would be huge risk in Liverpool appointing such an inexperienced coach who has never managed outside of France.
For now, it appears that Iraola is the overwhelming favourite to take charge, with Sage further down the list. But if he is to come onboard, hopefully fans are a little more clued up about what to expect.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
