Max Kruse has launched a scathing critique of VfL Wolfsburg, his former club, amid their desperate fight to avoid Bundesliga relegation. The 38-year-old striker, who spent time at the Lower Saxony outfit during the 2015/16 season and again in 2022, pulled no punches when discussing Wolfsburg's catastrophic campaign heading into the final matchday.
Speaking to DAZN ahead of the decisive Matchday 34, Kruse declared: "Of the three sides in the relegation battle, Wolfsburg is the one I like least." With St. Pauli, Heidenheim, and Wolfsburg locked level on points and separated by razor-thin margins, the 16th-place finish that decides survival remains within reach for all three clubs. Yet Kruse believes Wolfsburg's resources demand a higher standard. "Given the budget and resources Wolfsburg has compared to the other two clubs, they simply have to finish higher than 15th," he explained.
Structural Dysfunction at the Volkswagen-Backed Club
Kruse identified deeper problems beyond mere on-field performance. He criticized the influence of parent company Volkswagen over sporting decisions, arguing that executives lacking football expertise have created organizational chaos. "The more people grabbing the wheel, the harder it is to keep the ship on course. That's why Wolfsburg has been off balance for years," he said. This structural misalignment, combined with expensive transfers that fail to gel, has left Wolfsburg vulnerable despite their financial advantages over St. Pauli and Heidenheim.
The former international also questioned the mentality of Wolfsburg's squad. Unlike their relegation rivals, many Wolfsburg players may never have fought in a survival battle, lacking the grit and desperation required. "They're missing exactly the kind of players who know how to fight against relegation," Kruse argued. Without that experience and hunger, points have dried up despite modest recent improvements.
Final-Day Verdict: Desert or Survival?
Despite his harsh assessment, Kruse expects Wolfsburg to ultimately survive the drop. Still, his verdict was damning: "On balance they deserve to go down." Wolfsburg face St. Pauli away on the final day, while Heidenheim host Mainz—a fixture that could produce a dramatic conclusion to one of the Bundesliga's tightest relegation races in recent memory.
