France’s 1-2 loss to Spain in the World Cup 2026 left fans stunned, but one Premier League coach stood out for his relaxed vibe. Pierre Sage, Crystal Palace’s new boss, spent Tuesday night at a London pub with Lyon supporters, proving he hasn’t lost his touch. The match against Spain was just background noise as Sage blended in like one of the Lyondoners.
How Pierre Sage watched France vs Spain like a Lyon fan
Jonathan-Pierre Lion, a member of the Lyon supporters’ group, recalls: « We messaged Sage in 2024 when he was still at OL. He replied that afternoon saying he’d come, and arrived with his wife. » The French coach ditched the formalities straight away, asking everyone to call him by his first name. « Not everyone was comfortable with that! » Lion jokes. Between rounds of beers and easy banter, Sage felt like part of the gang. « You almost forgot you were talking to a Premier League manager », one fan admitted.
A sharp analyst despite France’s defeat
Behind the laughs, Sage delivered a masterclass in game reading. « He watched like a fan but thought like a coach », Lion says. « Every substitution? He predicted what would happen next. » According to the Lyon fan, Sage nailed nearly every call Didier Deschamps made: William Saliba’s early exit, Adrien Rabiot’s substitution for Manu Koné after a yellow card, Rayan Cherki’s introduction, and Theo Hernandez’s cameo. « He saw it all coming », Lion insists.
France, though, remain unstoppable. Last result: France 2-0 Morocco (2026-07-09). That win capped a five-game winning streak (5W-0D-0L), the best run in years. Sage stayed 15 minutes after the final whistle, even asking locals for housing tips as he settles into London life.
After the match: Sage cheers for England vs Argentina
By Wednesday, Sage had switched allegiances. « Against Argentina, his cheers will be for England », Lion reveals. A small detail that shows how quickly he’s adapted to English football. While France prepare for their next test - next fixture: France vs Türkiye (away, 2026-09-25) - Sage is busy building his Palace project, all while keeping an eye on Deschamps’ squad.
