Crystal Palace could avoid paying Pierre Sage significant compensation if he is reappointed by his former club, Lens, with the manager’s departure from Selhurst Park yet to be confirmed.

The decision to sack Sage was made on Sunday evening after Palace slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool . It was their fourth successive loss in the Premier League and left them bottom of the table for the first time since 2017.

Despite reports on Monday that the Frenchman had been dismissed, there has been no announcement, and it is understood negotiations are continuing over compensation for his three-year contract.…