As a farewell, Wolfsburg dedicates a total of 52 words to Max Kruse

The farewell could hardly have been closer. In four lines with a total of 52 words, VfL Wolfsburg announced the termination of the contract with Max Kruse on its club website. "VfL Wolfsburg and Max Kruse have mutually agreed to an immediate termination of the contract and are therefore finally going their separate ways," the statement said. “In open and honest discussions, we agreed that this solution is best for everyone involved. We wish Max all the best on his future path," VfL sporting director Marcel Schäfer is quoted as saying.

The 34-year-old former national player, who was recently recovering from a muscle injury, was sorted out by coach Niko Kovac in early September and has not played a game for Wolves since then. Before his injury, Kruse was only allowed to train - once he was the only field player to help with goalkeeper training. The VfL officials accused him of a lack of professionalism and thus a bad influence on the rest of the team.

Kruse had a verbal exchange of blows with Captain Maximilian Arnold. “I really like going to work. I'm not - like Max Kruse - just three and a half hours here, but a little longer, I like to do something for me and my body," Arnold explained in the kicker podcast "FE: male view on football". Kruse reacted to the dig a little later. "We know what it's about. Namely: Those who have less talent have to train more," he said on Instagram.

The ex-player from Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, Borussia Mönchengladbach and SC Freiburg actually had a contract in Wolfsburg until the end of June 2023. Kruse only moved from Berlin-Köpenick to Wolfsburg in the winter transfer phase of this year. He scored seven goals in 19 league games. Most recently, however, he made a name for himself off the pitch. The noble reservist accompanied his visit to the Venus erotic fair on social media and started a podcast with comedian Oliver Pocher.

Kruse has really cleaned up at the poker table in recent weeks. First he raked in prize money of 134,152 euros with a win at the World Series of Poker Europe, he finished second at the German Championship and earned a further 48,764 euros.

Nevertheless, Kruse wants to continue to concentrate on playing football. He has long been linked with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in North America, both because his son lives there and because of his past praise for the United States.