Stoke City unhappy with Marko Arnautovic’s West Ham move after club ‘resurrected his career’

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has criticised Marko Arnautovic for joining West Ham, saying his club “resurrected” the forward’s career.

Arnautovic joined West Ham last week in a £25million deal, 12 months after signing a new four-year deal at the Midlands club.

The 28-year-old striker arrived at Stoke from Werder Bremen in 2013 and Coates told Talksport: “We are disappointed in him. We resurrected his career. Our managers and coaches worked very hard to improve him and made him a name in the game.

“Last year we spent so much effort into giving him a long-term contract and the first thing we get in the summer he comes back he wants to leave. But the team is more important than the individual.”

For his part, the Austria international said that joining the Hammers was an easy decision and one he ‘didn’t have to think long about’.

“The manager gives me a good feeling for the Club and for myself, that I can improve here. I didn’t have to think long to take this opportunity." Arnautovic told the club’s official site.

“I spoke also to my family and everyone – everyone was happy that the agreement was done with West Ham and now we can’t wait to get started at this club."