Former Inter striker Marko Arnautovic has reflected on his behaviour during his brief spell at Inter under Jose Mourinho, according to a report in the Italian media.
Whilst speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marko Arnautovic admitted his priorities at Inter were going out, driving fast cars and partying rather than football.
“I was a boy, at the Luna Park. The big city, the big contract, the big champions, everything shining. Every day I was happy to see the champions by my side but for me, it was more important to go out, life outside, the cars: anything but football. Bad boy? I never cared what people were saying.”
He was part of Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning side despite having featured just three times during that 2009/10 season.
“Only from the sixth month of Inter I began to focus on football, after that event in Abu Dhabi, in which I arrived late, Mourinho made me understand a few things and I started doing things seriously.
“But in the interviews, I never said I had won the Treble. I was there, but in 2%, as a fan … In these first Serie A matches, of that 2010 I saw Mourinho and Thiago Motta: one of the best players with whom I have played, perhaps the best.”
Marko Arnautovic is now back in Italy and featuring regularly for Bologna. He admitted that he came back to Italy so that he could close his time in the country in a more professional manner.
“Yes. And not for revenge. My new career was born in Stoke: I was focused on football. Like with West Ham. Beautiful time in England.
“At the end of which I wondered: I cost little, I’m in shape, I did well but why don’t any top clubs call me? Remember this, when someone tells you they don’t do things for money it’s not like that. It’s a lie. But when you’re on the pitch you never think about money.”
The Austrian forward also spent some time playing in China but the pandemic meant he spent the best part of two years alone away from much of his family and friends. That is why he decided to go back to Europe and continue playing there for less money.
“I received proposals from Russia, from Turkey, from the MLS: I talked about it with my family and my brother the prosecutor. We all said no, together.
“Then, China arrives and I decide to make a new life. Super people, super team, beautiful Shanghai: everything was ready, a job for my wife, school for the children.
“Then comes the pandemic and I live two years alone. It was tough. In the summer I said to myself: I’m going back to Europe, I want to be with my loved ones.”
