Wolfsburg (AP) – Max Kruse stood in the rain of confetti with a suitcase of money in his hand and grinned. Not at his presentation at VfL Wolfsburg, of course, but on the eve of the most spectacular Bundesliga transfer this winter, which should leave many fans of 1. FC Union Berlin at a loss.
Kruse, who bagged 100,000 euros on the Saturday evening show “Schlag den Star”, said goodbye to the iron cult club on Sunday with warm words – and is now suddenly playing against relegation in Lower Saxony. Why?
Offer “long-term and highly endowed”
A good financial cushion for the footballer’s pension will have been a decisive factor. In terms of sport, the quarter-finalist in the cup would be much more attractive as the current fourth in the table. What sounds idealistic in the VfL announcement, when Kruse announces that his “common history” with Lower Saxony has not yet been written, sounds a little different on the Berlin side. There he asks for understanding for his decision to accept an offer that is “long-term and highly remunerated.”
In the opinion of record national player Lothar Matthäus, Kruse “could have erected a monument in Berlin. But I respect the decision to sign a long-term and very well-paid contract again at his age. Of course it’s a weakening for Union,” said Sky expert Matthäus in his column for the pay TV broadcaster. “Max was the difference player. Both just went really well together.”
Kruse always delivered reliably
The common history consisted of just one year in Wolfsburg, in which the ex-national player played for the “Wolves” between 2015/16. But back then he made headlines not only on the pitch, but also off it when he left 75,000 euros in cash in the back seat after a taxi ride.
In terms of football, the extroverted player always delivered reliably despite a few escapades. With good performances at SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach, he drew attention to himself throughout the league. After the time in Wolfsburg he moved to Werder Bremen and after a short visit to Fenerbahce Istanbul he moved to Berlin.
In the currently tense financial situation for many clubs, one should be more than satisfied with the transfer fee of five million for a Bundesliga “oldie” estimated by the “kicker” – especially since Kruse’s contract would only have run until the end of the season.
Kruse is considered a research character
The recourse to an almost 34-year-old is surprising because the transfer philosophy of the “Wolves” was different recently and relied on young and aspiring players. As is well known, necessity justifies the means, because the need for the position was great. With Greuther Fürth, the team with the fewest goals in the league has already lost the offensive supplementary players Admir Mehmedi (Antalyaspor) and Daniel Ginczek (Fortuna Düsseldorf) this winter. And much worse is the departure of top scorer Wout Weghorst, who is moving to Burnley FC.
Kruse will soon be playing together with Danish newcomer Jonas Wind as well as Lukas Nmecha and Dodi Lukebakio. Trainer Florian Kohfeldt has to decide who will be awarded the contract at headquarters. Kruse and Kohfeldt know each other from Bremen times. The VfL trainer should expect a certain leadership from Kruse, which was sorely missed in Wolfsburg recently. “We don’t have a group hierarchy,” Kohfeldt complained in mid-January. Kruse is considered a research character who looks for unconventional solutions on the offensive and has a good nose for goals. In the current situation, that can only do Wolfsburg good.