Karen Brady has insisted that Marko Arnautovic’s future will be decided Manuel Pellegrini only, and not West Ham’s board.
The Austrian forward was heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium back in January when he was wanted by a number of clubs in the Chinese Super League.
The speculation about his future saw him cast aside from the West Ham first team, before he made a remarkable u-turn to commit his future to the club by signing a contract extension.
Despite the contract extension, Arnautovic’s relationship with the Hammers faithful hasn’t been the same since the transfer saga, with the 30-year-old being booed on a number of occasions after failing to rediscover his early season form.
Mark Noble on Marko Arnautovic:
“I've noticed a change in him since January. It is important, of course, that West Ham keep Arnautovic this summer. He's a top player and you can see that when he is back on his game.
I am hoping, but I think he will be here with us next season.” pic.twitter.com/rzOcyDmhvb
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) May 14, 2019
He did find the net in the Hammers final Premier League game of the season, a 4-1 win over Watford, and speaking after that game, Manuel Pellegrini suggested that he wanted the former Stoke City forward to stay with the East London outfit beyond the summer, and vice-Chairman Karen Brady has insisted that the Chilean manager will make all decisions regarding his squad without interference from the board.
“It’s the same with every player – their future at the club is determined by the manager. Not by the chairman, not by the board and certainly not by me,” Brady told Sky Sports.
“If he decides he wants him at the club and wants to offer him a new contract, like he did a few months ago, then that’s what happens. If he decides he wants a player to leave, then that’s what happens.
“The board support whatever decision he makes, and that’s the way it should be.”
READ: Ankle Biters: The five Premier League players with the most tackles in 2018/2019
See also: The Kompany meme, Walter’s piggy prank and laughing at Leeds – Tweets of the Week