Max Kruse had a difficult time at VfL Wolfsburg. Now, the 38-year-old has spoken out with harsh criticism about the relegation-threatened club.
Speaking on DAZN, Kruse commented on his former club, which is currently fighting for the 16th relegation spot on the final matchday of the Bundesliga season, alongside FC St. Pauli and 1. FC Heidenheim: «Everyone fundamentally knows how I feel about VfL. I don’t have a fundamental problem with the club, but out of the three clubs, Wolfsburg is the least likeable for me – if I may say so.»
Regarding the Lower Saxony club’s disastrous season, Kruse stated: «With the budget and the opportunities Wolfsburg has compared to the other two, a different league position than 15th simply has to result at the end of the season. The Wolves have disappointed me the most football-wise out of the three clubs. Therefore, in my opinion, they would logically be relegated.»
Kruse, who played for Wolfsburg in the 2015/16 season and for eleven months in 2022, elaborated: «A lot of money is involved, a lot is bought, but it often just doesn’t fit together. The team composition isn’t right every year.»
Kruse: «People Who Sometimes Don’t Understand Football at All»
Kruse is also critical of the influence of sponsor Volkswagen. «In addition, there is the conflict between the VW plant and the club or its management. People who sometimes don’t understand football at all want to have a say,» he said. «And the more people want to steer the ship, the harder it is to keep it on course. That’s why things in Wolfsburg haven’t really run smoothly for years.»
Looking at the current precarious situation, Kruse sees St. Pauli and Heidenheim at an advantage because the players there know the gravity of the situation. «When you’re at the bottom with VfL Wolfsburg and many players in the squad have probably never experienced a relegation battle in their lives, then it’s not easy,» Kruse said. «In the end, everyone knows that it’s about livelihoods, but many players also know that they probably wouldn’t stay in the second division because they don’t have a contract for it. And, to put it plainly, some simply don’t care.»
Relegation Battle Promises Pure Drama
Kruse continued: «They lack exactly these types of players who know how relegation battles work. I would clearly say that. You can see that the points are not coming, even though the play has improved somewhat in recent weeks. But that’s simply not enough over 34 matchdays. And even though I currently believe that VfL Wolfsburg will stay in the league, in my opinion, they would deserve to be relegated this season.»
The 34th matchday of the Bundesliga promises pure drama surrounding the relegation battle. Both bottom-placed St. Pauli, Heidenheim (17th), and Wolfsburg (16th) go into the season finale with equal points.
In the lower reaches of the table, Heidenheim stayed alive thanks to a sensational comeback and handed the last-place spot to St. Pauli. Both teams even have the same goal difference of -29. Wolfsburg is three goals better.
Scintillatingly, Wolfsburg visits St. Pauli in the season finale, while Heidenheim hosts 1. FSV Mainz 05. If FCH wins, two clubs could end up with the same goal difference and equal points.
Bundesliga: The Bottom Three Teams
Max Kruse has sharply criticized his former club VfL Wolfsburg, labeling them the «least likeable» among the teams fighting relegation. Kruse, who played for Wolfsburg in two separate stints, expressed his disappointment with the club’s performance this season, especially considering their significant budget compared to rivals 1. FC Heidenheim and FC St. Pauli. He believes that with their financial resources, Wolfsburg should be nowhere near the relegation zone and that their struggles are a logical consequence of their poor footballing decisions and team composition.
Furthermore, Kruse pointed to the internal conflicts at the club, particularly the influence of sponsor Volkswagen, suggesting that individuals without sufficient football knowledge are involved in decision-making. This, he argued, makes it difficult for the club to maintain a clear direction.
Kruse also highlighted a perceived lack of experience in relegation battles among the Wolfsburg players, suggesting that teams like Heidenheim and St. Pauli have an advantage due to their players’ understanding of what’s at stake. He believes that while the players are aware of the consequences, some may not be as motivated to fight for survival if it means a drop to the second division without a guaranteed contract.
Despite his strong criticism, Kruse admitted that he currently believes VfL Wolfsburg will ultimately avoid relegation. However, he maintains that they would still deserve to go down based on their performance throughout the season.
The article concludes by detailing the tense situation on the final matchday, with St. Pauli, Heidenheim, and Wolfsburg all level on points and fighting for survival. The final fixtures are set to deliver a dramatic conclusion to the season.