Arnautovic’s “Feeling” Reveals Red Star Drama
Arnautovic Reveals Truth Behind failed Rapid Vienna transfer & Honors Mihajlovic Promise
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Marko Arnautovic has broken his silence on the collapsed transfer to Rapid Vienna, revealing inaccuracies surrounding the negotiations and reaffirming his commitment to Red Star belgrade, fueled by a poignant promise to the late Sinisa Mihajlovic. The 36-year-old Austrian international addressed the situation in a recent ORF interview, clarifying the details and expressing continued respect for the Vienna club.
Failed Rapid Negotiations: “A Lot Was Spoken That Wasn’t True”
Rumors of Arnautovic’s potential return to Rapid Vienna surfaced in June, following his departure from Inter Milan. While the player remained publicly quiet, reports suggested a two-year contract worth €6 million gross, plus bonuses, was on the table. However, the deal ultimately fell thru, with Rapid’s sporting director, Markus Katzer, announcing the end of talks on July 11th.
Arnautovic now states, “A lot was spoken of what is wrong.” He emphasized his positive regard for Rapid, stating, “I don’t have a bad word to say about Rapid and I wish you the championship title.” This statement aims to quell any lingering negativity from the failed move and maintain a respectful relationship with the club and its supporters. The breakdown in negotiations remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, but Arnautovic’s comments suggest discrepancies between reported details and the actual discussions.
Fulfilling a Promise to Sinisa Mihajlovic
Despite the fervent hopes of Rapid Vienna fans,Arnautovic ultimately chose to sign a two-year contract with Red Star Belgrade on July 21st. This decision, he explains, was deeply personal and rooted in a promise made to Sinisa Mihajlovic, the former Red Star captain and coach who tragically passed away in December 2022 after a battle with leukemia.
“I grew up in this jersey through my family,” Arnautovic said, highlighting the emotional connection to the club. “Ultimately, I came back as there were also a lot of emotions involved.” He revealed that he and Mihajlovic had initially planned to reunite at Red star, but the coach’s illness prevented it.Mihajlovic was instrumental in Arnautovic’s return to European football, bringing him to Bologna in 2021 after a period in China disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 1991 European Cup winner’s influence clearly played a significant role in Arnautovic’s decision.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Qualification & Injury Update
Arnautovic is now focused on contributing to Red Star Belgrade’s success. “We know that Roter Stern Belgrade has already celebrated many successes and I want to continue success with the club,” he stated.The immediate goal is qualification for the Champions league, with the team having already progressed to the play-off round after defeating Lech Poznan 3-1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round.
Recently, Arnautovic reported a “little problem,” causing him to miss the squad for a recent match. However, he quickly allayed any fears, stating, “You can give the all-clear, we didn’t want to take any risk, that was a little injury. I’m fine and I’ll get back in the next few days.” red Star Belgrade’s final hurdle on their path to the Champions League group stage is a play-off tie against Cypriot champions Pafos FC. Arnautovic’s swift recovery and return to form will be crucial to their chances of securing a coveted spot in Europe’s premier club competition.