First offer still rejected
Union explains how Wolfsburg lured Kruse
2/1/2022, 4:16 p.m
Max Kruse received an offer from VfL Wolfsburg that he could not refuse. That says Oliver Ruhnert, manager of 1. FC Union Berlin. His club simply could not keep up financially. So he understands the change – but doesn’t like the timing.
Max Kruse’s departure from the Bundesliga club Union Berlin also hit Oliver Ruhnert unexpectedly. “I don’t know if I’m disappointed. I don’t like the timing, the timing is just unfortunate,” said the Union manager in a media round. Coach Urs Fischer was just as unenthusiastic as he and everyone else. In any case, the Swiss coach is one who tends to say: “I train with people who want to.”
According to Ruhnert, the club found out “very late” about Kruse’s desire to switch to VfL Wolfsburg. “With all due respect, how are we supposed to do this now?” was the initial reaction from those responsible for the Union. “Then a development came in,” said Ruhnert. There was initially an offer from Wolfsburg, which they rejected. The Union agreed to the second.
Although they were “surprised” by the desire to change and the associated loss of a top performer, the “decision was made together with the player”. Kruse is a player who has a special challenge at the end of a career and also a special opportunity of a financial nature. You have to weigh everything.”
According to Ruhnert, the option of making additional financial contributions yourself was not up for debate. The club is also ready to talk about the content of contracts, but does not deviate from the course: “I will not destroy my structure here by doing things that are astronomical.” He also gave an insight into the proportions: “If it were only double, we might talk again.” Kruse stated that he could not refuse this offer.
Even without Kruse, Ruhnert “of course believes that we have a team that can be successful”. Kruse “made the difference in one game or the other”. However, the team will “continue to function”, with Sven Michel they have got a “good and motivated player” from SC Paderborn.