This is probably also due to the fact that the ex-Admira coach already worked with Arnautovic in the ÖFB U21 selection and had a high opinion of the offensive player even then. On March 3, 2010, immediately after a 3-0 friendly win against Denmark, including Arnautovic’s dream free-kick goal, the then U21 team manager said: “There was a Krankl, a Herzog, a Polster, a Prohaska, but Arnautovic made it eclipses them all when he retrieves his potential. This is by far the best footballer that has walked the field in the last 30 years.”
Herzog was often smiled at for this statement – all the greater is his joy that Arnautovic is now going down in the ÖFB annals. “Now he’s breaking my record, and now even the dumbest person has understood what I meant back then,” said Herzog. He described his relationship with Arnautovic as “characterized by great mutual respect.”
“Of course someone will overtake me sooner or later”
According to his own statements, the 54-year-old does not feel sad about being relegated to second place. “It was a really cool story when I broke the record, but it was clear that sooner or later someone would overtake me.” This is also because there are now usually more international matches per year than in Herzog’s time. “But we’ve already had more games than Hanappi, Krankl or Prohaska,” Herzog pointed out.
The former Germany legionnaire takes his hat off to Arnautovic’s team career. “I know what it takes to be there for so long. You have to be really good for over a decade and remain halfway injury-free,” said Herzog, once again enthusing about the talent of his designated successor.
“He has an amazing body, speed and good dribbling.” Over time, Arnautovic changed his style of play. “He’s become more dangerous lately. In the past he maybe did a bit more show and no-look passes, but under team boss Marcel Koller he became really good and helped the team,” explained Herzog.
Big personal highlight is missing
However, the big personal highlight is missing in Arnautovic’s ÖFB vita. Krankl is associated with Cordoba, Prohaska with Izmir, Toni Polster with the DDR game and Herzog himself with Sweden. “That would have been the goal against Italy for him, it was very unlucky,” said Herzog about the offside goal in the round of 16. In addition, unlike the ÖFB greats of the past decades, Arnautovic will not be able to look back on a World Cup participation. “But none of us played a European Championship for that,” emphasized Herzog.
The 33-year-old Arnautovic has appeared twice in a European championship – as has the 30-year-old David Alaba, who has made 94 international appearances and will probably overtake his friend. “David will break Marko’s record, it’s only a matter of time,” predicted Herzog.