Crystal Palace spent more than £4 million in June to buy Pierre Sage out of his contract at Lens. Five months later they have fired him, and the club that sold him to them may now take him back, which could save Palace part of what they owe him.

Why it took four days to announce

Palace confirmed on Thursday that Sage "has left his role as Manager," along with three members of his staff: Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard. According to The Irish Times, the decision was made on Sunday evening, after the 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool, but talks over compensation for the rest of his three-year contract held up the announcement.

That is where Lens come in. The French club sacked Yannick Cahuzac on Tuesday, and Sage has emerged as the favorite to return. Lens owner and president Joseph Oughourlian has stayed in close contact with him and is understood to have discussed a comeback. If Sage takes that job, Palace could avoid paying some of the compensation.

Bottom after 10 games

The numbers left Palace little choice. They have won two of their 10 Premier League games, sit last on seven points and have lost four league games in a row, a run that started with a 5-0 defeat at Brighton. They also have the worst defense in the league, with 24 goals conceded, and only one win in four Europa League games.

Sage was hired partly because he used the same 3-4-3 system as Oliver Glasner, who won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League with Palace. But defenders Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz left in the summer, the latter following Glasner to Nottingham Forest, and Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr were often missing because of fitness and their wish to leave.

Frank is waiting on his staff

Thomas Frank, out of work since Tottenham dismissed him in February, is the clear favorite. Football Insider reports he has reached a verbal agreement and that the delay now comes from negotiating deals for his large backroom staff. Palace also looked at Sean Dyche and Toulouse coach Jens Berthel Askou, according to the BBC.

Palace want the new man in place before next Saturday's trip to Coventry City. Sage and Michael Carrick, sacked about an hour apart on Thursday, are the first two Premier League managers to lose their jobs this season. If Lens do rehire Sage, the coach Palace paid to bring in could end up costing them less to let go.