Crystal Palace are considering making a move to replace Pierre Sage as manager, and there are a number of candidates under consideration.

The Eagles have started the season slowly following their parting of ways with Oliver Glasner in the summer, with the Austrian departing after three trophies in his final two seasons at Selhurst Park when his contract expired, and surprisingly joining Nottingham Forest.

Sage was brought in after helping Lens qualify for the Champions League in Ligue 1, but he has started poorly with just two wins in their first seven Premier League games, and there have been several instances where his decisions have drawn criticism from the fans and board.

A report after the 5-0 defeat to Brighton this weekend saw suggestions that Sage has been given two games to save his job at Selhurst Park, with poor results against Besiktas and Newcastle this week likely to spell the end of his reign in south London.

It was suggested that former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank and former Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna were among the top candidates for the job should a change be made, with Steve Parish understood to be a big fan of both. Another name who has been mentioned as an option is former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, who is also a free agent.

But while all three would likely represent a considerable upgrade to the current man in the dugout, there is another free agent who would be a more perfect fit for the project in place at Palace.

Eddie Howe surprised everyone during the summer when he departed Newcastle just weeks before the new season begun, having been allowed to stay in the job by the ownership after they considered a change.

The English coach has been a free agent since that exit, and Palace would be incredibly smart to try and convince him to make the switch to Selhurst Park and head up the project they have, to take the Eagles to the next level.

Howe Would Be Perfect Palace Boss

Palace have built themselves a squad that can compete at the top level when they are flying, but Sage hasn't been able to get them to perform that way.

Howe is a manager who is at his best when dealing with the players closely, and his man management and tactical nous are among his strongest attributes as a coach. During his time with the Magpies, Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes sang his praises.

For me, the manager is amazing. He deserves the credit

His attacking style would be a big help to the fans, who want to be entertained, and he showed at Newcastle that he can guide an underdog to a trophy too.

Giving the likes of Ismaila Sarr, Adam Wharton and Jaydee Canvot a top-level coach like Howe would improve them, and the team, and Parish should be doing everything he can to get the 48-year-old through the door if Sage moves on.