A second Premier League manager has been sacked today as a former Tottenham boss is being lined up as the favourite to replace him and make a return

A second Premier League manager has been sacked today. Following Michael Carrick's axing by Manchester United, the second top-flight boss to be given the boot this season has been confirmed.

Crystal Palace have axed Pierre Sage after a catastrophic start to the campaign, leaving the Eagles languishing at the foot of the Premier League table following last Sunday's 3-1 hammering by Liverpool. That marked their eighth loss across all competitions, forcing the club's hierarchy to pull the trigger.

Sage's sacking makes him the second top-flight boss to get the chop this term, after Michael Carrick was given his marching orders from Manchester United on Thursday morning. It was reported that Sage had been sacked early this week, but the Eagles have now confirmed his exit.

Palace announced his departure in an official statement, which read: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as Manager. Three members of Pierre's coaching staff – Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard – have also left the club.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future. An update on the process of appointing a new manager will be provided in due course."

Ex-Tottenham and Brentford gaffer Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate to step into the hot seat. The Danish tactician has been without a club since getting the boot from Spurs back in February.

Sage had been feeling the heat since the brutal defeat to local rivals Brighton in mid-October, with both Newcastle United and Tottenham also inflicting losses. Stalemates against Hoffenheim and Besiktas in the Europa League followed during that spell, though Palace did manage to see off Fulham in the Carabao Cup.

That marked one of their rare wins this campaign, with Palace also defeating them in the league and securing another three points when Glasner made his return to Selhurst Park with Nottingham Forest. But last weekend's home loss to Liverpool has proved to be the breaking point.

Sage could be thrust back into management almost straight away, with French reports suggesting Lens are keen to bring back their former manager after sacking Yannick Cahuzac.

The Palace board, meanwhile, will now focus on finding a replacement. Frank is believed to be the frontrunner for the position, but Palace are also eyeing several other managers, including Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Kim Hellberg, Vitor Matos and Tony Popovic.

Ole Werner and Jens Berthel Askou have also surfaced as two additional candidates under consideration.