Crystal Palace have already made their transfer priority clear for the summer, and it is regardless of who comes in as their next manager.
Oliver Glasner under pressure at Selhurst Park
Oliver Glasner's time at Palace is drawing to a close and everyone at Selhurst Park knows it.
The Austrian confirmed months ago that he will walk away when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Palace eyeing the likes of Gareth Southgate and Thomas Frank as potential replacements.
Oliver-Glasner-Man-Utd
Fans have been growing increasingly restless — banners were unfurled during a recent home game demanding change — and Palace have won just twice in their last 16 matches across all competitions.
The results have been poor, the performances inconsistent, and the mood around SE25 has been one of creeping frustration.
Thursday brings a Conference League second leg at Selhurst Park against Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar, with Palace holding a 1-1 draw from the first leg.
Glasner was candid in his post-match assessment in Bosnia, admitting his side were giving opponents too many gifts through defensive mistakes.
Crystal-Palace-Glasner Related
Crystal Palace eye title-winning ex-Leeds assistant with Oliver Glasner in danger of sack
The Eagles could let their best ever manager go sooner than expected.
With the tie level and a home European fixture ahead, Palace need a response — but even those with an eye on the bigger picture understand that whoever takes the reins in the summer inherits a squad with significant structural problems.
None bigger than the one left by Marc Guehi.
Crystal Palace decide non-negotiable Marc Guehi replacement signing as priority
So much so, Palace have now made finding a permanent replacement for their former captain a clear priority for the summer window, according to the London Evening Standard and journalist Dom Smith.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
The England international left for Man City in January in a £20 million deal — a sale forced by the reality that he was entering the final months of his contract and the club preferred to recoup a fee rather than watch him leave for nothing in June.
Efforts were made to find a replacement before the January window closed, with Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez and Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse among those explored, but no deal was done.
Palace chiefs now want to rectify that error and have earmarked the signing of Guehi's heir as their top transfer priority, regardless of who succeeds Glasner in the dugout.
Marc-Guehi-Chelsea
The ideal candidate could be Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande — a 22-year-old Ivorian who is rapid, physically imposing and comfortable on the ball.
Palace tried for him before and may well try again.
However, a new contract at Sporting has installed a £70 million release clause, effectively ruling him out as a realistic target.
Ordonez reportedly remains on Palace's radar, with the Ecuadorian drawing widespread admiration and Liverpool having been close to a £43 million deal before opting elsewhere.
The Palace board are apparently clear that the priority exists regardless of formation, and irrespective of who their next manager turns out to be.
With Sean Dyche, Frank and even Roberto Martinez all mentioned as rumoured potential candidates, the new man will at least arrive knowing the defensive rebuild is already being planned.
Crystal Palace's Jorgen Strand Larsen Related
He's perfect for Strand Larsen: 4-2-3-1 manager wants Crystal Palace job
Crystal Palace have a huge task on their hands this summer to replace the outgoing Oliver Glasner.