23. 07. 10. - 12:00

Arnautovic on Mourinho and the 'Bentley incident'

Marko Arnautovic has spoken out for the first time on why he fell out with Jose Mourinho.

The Austrian national team striker, now with German giants Werder Bremen, failed to make an impact during his doomed spell with Inter last season.

Now the 21-year-old has revealed: "Problems with (coach) Mourinho started when I went out five times a week despite being injured. I tried to distract myself, but I did it the wrong way. This won’t happen to me again."

Asked whether he found support from other club officials or teammates, he told German daily Bild: "The club’s president, executive manager as well as my teammates wanted me to play – but Mourinho decided differently. I think I should have deserved a chance."

Arnautovic has been described as a difficult character with a "diva-like" attitude by some colleagues and media. Claudio Pizarro, a teammate at Werder labelled him a "special character".

But the Vienna-born player stressed: "I’m just outspoken and direct. Those who claim I’m difficult just don’t know me. I only say bad things when someone attacks me."

The striker, who joined Werder for around seven million Euros from Dutch side Twente Enschede, said he wanted to win trophies with his new club instead of posing as the team’s new top star.

"I want to convince everyone with my performances," he said.

Arnautovic was in the news a few months ago when Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o’s Bentley was stolen while he took it for a ride around the city.

Now Arnautovic has said he had planned to buy the vehicle from his former teammate. "I drove it for two weeks to check whether I like it. I was at a restaurant with friends when it was nicked. This incident affected my so badly I was unable to train. Thank God the car resurfaced in the meantime."

Arnautovic caused another somewhat bizarre off-pitch incident recently when he cycled into a golf cart.

"My arm still hurts but it won’t rule me out from playing. My teammates asked me why I can’t cycle. But I lived in the Netherlands for three years. Everyone rides a bike there. Accidents simply happen," he said.

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