ARNAUTOVIC HOPING TO GIVE BOSS ‘PERFECT FAREWELL’

Austria striker Marko Arnautovic has vowed to give departing manager Franco Foda a perfect send-off against Scotland.

Foda, inset, announced he was stepping down in the buildup to tonight’s international friendly in Vienna.

Austria’s World Cup hopes ended last week with a 2-1 defeat in Wales in the play-off semi-finals.

They had qualified for the play-offs through their UEFA Nations League results after finishing third behind Scotland in their qualifying group, having drawn at Hampden and lost to a Lyndon Dykes penalty in their home game against the Scots.

Arnautovic said on the Austrian Football Association website: “It’s clear we want to give the coach a perfect farewell game.

“For me, the time with him was outstanding, we had a good relationship and were always able to talk well.”

Foda took charge in late 2017 and led Austria to the last 16 of the delayed European Championship, where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners Italy after extratime.

The 55-year-old declared the end of his tenure in a media conference on the eve of Tuesday’s match at Ernst Happel Stadium.

The German said: “I’ve had a lot of thoughts over the past few days and I take full responsibility for the fact that we didn’t qualify for the World Cup. So my job as team manager ends after the Scotland game.

“It was with great honour and pride that I coached the national team and I will remain a huge fan.

“I also want to thank the players for more than four wonderful years. Unfortunately, the time we spent together didn’t end well, because we couldn’t fulfil our big dream.”