Union manager Ruhnert on Kruse change: “Time is just unfortunate”

Max Kruse’s departure from 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 on Tuesday.

The club found out “very late” about Kruse’s desire to switch to VfL Wolfsburg. Although they were “surprised” by the “development”, 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.” That didn’t happen with Kruse, and “we won’t do that in the future either. That’s why these considerations didn’t exist.”

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.