Angus Gunn’s billing as Norwich City’s number one for David Wagner was a factor in Tim Krul’s move to Premier League Luton Town.
City’s head coach left both men in no doubt who would be his last line of defence for the Championship season, which laid the groundwork for Krul to seal a top flight return.
Norwich moved swiftly to replace Krul with former Millwall stopper George Long, who will be in the squad to face the Lions at Carrow Road on Sunday.
“This was one of the reasons why Tim decided to take the chance, and the opportunity to go to Luton, because I made it quite clear that Gunny is the number one,” said Wagner.
“We will challenge him, but we will support him in the same time as well to get the best out of him. And obviously, this was then one of the reasons why Tim said, ‘Okay, I would like this chance of Premier League football with Luton’.
“So the situation changed in terms of we now set up a new goal keeper group, with George and Jon McCracken as well, who we recalled from Dundee, because Clem (Paul Clements, keeper coach) has not really worked with him, he wanted to see him and work with him as well. Now he is happy with his goal keeper group as well.
"Now Gunny will hopefully make the next steps which we expect from him, where we think he can come to standards and demands he has and we have as well.”
Wagner saluted Krul’s professionalism as well as his pedigree after calling time on a five year spell in Norfolk.
“I really loved the seven or eight months we've worked together. What he has done for this club speaks for itself. He was a great servant for the football club. But what I can say is in my time, he was not all only a very good goal keeper, he was a very good character,” said the City chief.
“A person you like to have conversations with, honest conversations, clear conversations. He stuck to his word, like we did. Everything went quickly and it was a surprise maybe as well, but we had spoken about what might happen.
“At the end of the day he made the decision, he knocked on the door and said, ‘I have the chance to go to Premier League club and play in the Premier League again and I would like to do this’.
"I always said if this is the case, and we can find the right replacement, I will not stand in your way. And this is why we supported his desire to go to Luton.
“Big credit to Clem because within six hours he had found a replacement and in a further six hours we had negotiated the deal more or less, with the medical after that.
"Luckily, we were able to get George into the building very quickly as well, and he will be involved on Sunday in the squad.
“George is a proven Championship goalkeeper at a great age. Someone who knows the game and knows how to behave in a group. I'm very sure, character-wise, and from his capability we have made a good signing.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here