“Is it because he’s overweight?”
Club boss attacks national striker Arnautović harshly
12/30/2025 – 4:54 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Marko Arnautović has only been in Belgrade for six months and has already heard public criticism. Club boss Zvezdan Terzić didn’t hold back.
Austrian international striker Marko Arnautović has been heavily criticized. “Yes, I expected more,” explained Red Star Belgrade general director Zvezdan Terzić in an interview with the Serbian portal “Mozzartsport”. Arnautović has already suffered many injuries, “but he should ask himself why he keeps getting injured,” the 59-year-old continued, before elaborating: “Is it because he is overweight or perhaps because of his diet and lifestyle?”
Arnautović left Inter Milan on a free transfer in the summer and joined Red Star. Since then, the 36-year-old has only played eight of a possible 19 games in the Serbian Super League. Arnautović missed 15 competitive games in the autumn, most recently missing between November and December due to an adductor injury.
When he signed in June, general director Terzić was still convinced that Arnautović “takes care of his body and his health”. Instead, Terzić let it slip that the professional had already had a conversation about it with coach Dejan Stanković, who has been in office since December 22nd.
But that’s not enough. Terzić took out his frustration on another player. “I can now say it publicly here. I have given up on Nemanja Radonjić,” said the 59-year-old. The midfielder is the best Serbian footballer in terms of his performance and potential. But: “I’ve spent more time talking to him than I have to my own sons. I feel like it goes in one ear and out the other. It’s unbelievable.”
Radonjić skips training, picks games, disappears and reappears unprepared. “Maybe he did all this because he felt like he was my favorite. He’s not that anymore,” Terzić said angrily.