“So he’s stupid too”
Ex-Hertha captain attacks “whistle” Windhorst
03/22/2022, 1:41 p.m
The declaration of war against Hertha President Werner Gegenbauer brings Lars Windhorst a lot of attention. And a lot of criticism, ex-captain Axel Kruse does not hide it. He addresses the investor with extremely clear words.
“So he’s still stupid”: In sharp words, former Hertha professional Axel Kruse criticized investor Lars Windhorst and his statements about club president Werner Gegenbauer. “Since when does the investor decide who is president or who is not?” Kruse said about Windhorst in the RBB podcast “Hauptstadtderby” and was sometimes very violent in his choice of words.
Kruse confirmed Windhorst’s statement that there were many critics of Gegenbauer in the Bundesliga soccer team from the capital. “But I think he’s brought a lot of people to Werner Gegenbauer’s side,” said the 54-year-old, who played for the capital’s club between 1989 and 1991 and 1996-1998.
He is still connected to the club today, among other things, through the “Flag Bearer” initiative. According to Managing Director Fredi Bobic, ex-players – in addition to Kruse also Marko Rehmer and goalkeeper legend Gabor Kiraly – should “support the club in terms of communication and serve as important multipliers and advisors for Hertha BSC”. In terms of communication, Kruse is now extremely clear.
“This is unbearable”
On Sunday, one day after the sporting liberation by beating TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-0, Windhorst asked Hertha about power. Gegenbauer is not about success, but about “maintaining power,” Windhorst told the TV channel “Bild”. The Hertha President treats the club like a “personal toy”, criticized Windhorst, who has invested around 375 million euros in Hertha since 2019. He called on the club’s fans to vote Gegenbauer out at the upcoming general meeting in May. “It is clear to me that I as a person cannot and will no longer work with Mr. Gegenbauer.”
Kruse said he finds it “shocking that in times of 50+1 an investor stands up and says: I don’t work with him anymore.” And further: “Instead of being happy about the victory, this whistle sits there and pulls from the leather and destroys everything again.” For months Windhorst has been “around the corner with every piece of shit, it’s unbearable”.
The ex-captain is certain: Windhorst wants “access to the money”. Only one lackey should act as president, and Ingo Schiller should also go as chief financial officer alongside Gegenbauer. Kruse judges: “With the performance he exposed himself even more.” Kruse believes: “Most of our members would rather be relegated than hand the club over to Lars Windhorst.”