Marko Arnautovic is on international duty, and has been asked about Gary Neville’s recent comments.
The former Manchester United defender offered some strong criticism of Arnautovic during West Ham’s 3-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion last month.
“I have only ever played with one player that had an excuse not to track back and that was Cristiano Ronaldo,” Neville said during commentary on Sky Sports.
“He scored 40 goals in a season. That guy [Arnautovic] is Ronaldo in his own mind. That’s the problem, he thinks he is better than he is.”
Neville’s criticism was blunt, but he had a point. Arnautovic was awful in the match, along with most of his teammates, and he hasn’t impressed at all since his transfer, worth £24m, from Stoke City in the summer.
The winger is currently on international duty, and was inevitably asked about Neville’s comments. Arnautovic used the opportunity to take a dig at Neville’s record as a manager. The former England defender had a brief spell as Valencia coach during the 2015/16 season, but was sacked before the season ended after winning just 10 of his 28 games. Arnautovic said Neville should “stay on TV.”
Beckham came through the youth ranks with Neville, but left for Spain in 2003 https://t.co/G3XHKy973E
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 30, 2017
“I respect what Gary Neville achieved as a player. He was brilliant at Manchester United and hats off to him,” he told Austrian broadcaster Laola1.
“But what did he do as a coach at Valencia? His job is to criticise, that is 90 per cent of his job. I am not saying Gary Neville is a nobody. He has accomplished a lot in his life, he is a legend. But as a coach? Let him stay on TV.”
Arnautovic says he respects the “real fans”, but he doesn’t seem to have much time for any of his critics.
“Most of them have no work, probably no life and no idea. I respect the real fans and I understand them. They were all happy to have me come to West Ham because I had done very well at Stoke. But the fans only see what happens in the stadium, they do not see what you do at training and in private. I know how strong I am mentally, how I work on myself. I have lost nothing and I’m not in crisis. West Ham can count on me 100 per cent.”
