'I would have to quit!' - Oliver Glasner reveals his Crystal Palace ambitions in aftermath of Marc Guehi transfer saga

Had Liverpool firmed up their pursuit earlier in the window, the story could have been very different. By March, Glasner had already reached an understanding with chairman Steve Parish that Guehi would be allowed to move if a suitable replacement was signed. The England defender, while not forcing the issue, was receptive to the idea of joining the reigning champions.

But no new senior centre-back was recruited. As the window ticked away, Glasner made his stance clear both publicly and privately: it was far too late to start a scramble for reinforcements. Yet, when Palace sanctioned the transfer, Glasner reportedly threatened that he would resign if the defender was allowed to leave. This forced Parish to pull the plug on the move and Guehi will now spend the next few months, at least until Janaury, in London. 

After winning the transfer battle against Liverpool, Glasner outlined his vision for the club in an interview with Weekend in his native Austria.

"I always find something that can be improved," he said of his motivations. "If I felt I couldn’t make any more of an impact, I would have to quit. There are always things to adjust, new players to integrate, and new ideas to introduce. That’s what makes the job of a coach so exciting – it’s a never-ending process."

As things stand, Palace’s fortunes this season may rest on Guehi’s shoulders. His leadership and defensive steel give Glasner the platform to build upon. Yet every strong performance only heightens the anxiety that he will walk away for nothing in June.