HUGHES RIPS ARNAUTOVIC FOR HIS ‘SIDEWAYS’ MOVE TO THE HAMMERS

STOKE boss Mark Hughes claims former favourite Marko Arnautovic should have set his sights higher than West Ham.

Hughes claims the Austria winger was wrong to make a “sideways” move from the Potteries to the London Stadium.

Arnautovic is back at Stoke with the Hammers today for the first time since his £24million summer switch but Hughes claims he should have stayed with a team who had proved they could handle his volatile temperament.

“People have looked at Marko for many seasons – he’s been in the Premier League now for a long time,” said Hughes (below).

“I think he hoped he’d go to the next level but that wasn’t the case. That’s why we argued ‘why are you going sideways when we would encourage you to go higher if that’s what you want?’” Arnautovic had a difficult start to his Hammers career – he was sent off for an elbow in just his second game and was criticised for his early performances in London.

But he scored the winning goal against Chelsea last weekend and Hughes believes his form has improved under new boss David Moyes (above).

“I didn’t have a problem with Marko,” said Hughes. “I thought at the time that moving was the wrong decision for him because I know what he needs to be successful.

“He needs people with him and supporting him. It will be interesting to see how he fares but it looks like he’s back on track.

“He’s got a little bit of form because it looks as if he’s been given a bit of trust and he sees it as a fresh start to his West Ham career.

“He’s got a big presence, a big personality, and he demands attention. He’ll back his ability.

“He likes the attention and to feel people are with him. That’s why he prospered here at Stoke.”

Arnautovic is guaranteed a hostile reception after using a transfer request to force his exit, but Hughes admits he was powerless to keep the 28-year-old, who netted Stoke a £22m profit.

“He got to a point where it was best for him to move on,” said Hughes.

“There’s always a line that you can’t go over – not in disciplinary terms – but a point where there’s an acceptance there’s no going back.

“When people have set their stalls out, sometimes it’s better just to let it happen and try your best to get the best price you can – that’s what we did.”