Kevin Kuranyi World Cup Dreams Over
May 3rd 2010 11:02
In an announcement that was highly expected but still disappointing nevertheless, Kevin Kuranyi will not be part of Germany's World Cup plans this summer after the national side's manager Joachim Low confirmed that he will continue to leave the striker in international exile.
There has been a history of bad blood between the Schalke striker and Low ever since the latter felt he was humiliated publicly by Kuranyi's walkout from the team in October 2008, when he was left out of the matchday squad altogether in a World Cup qualifier against Russia. The lanky player left the stadium without informing both the manager and his backroom staff and it was not until the squad was ready to leave on the team bus that Low found out what had happened.
There has been a push by both the media and fans this season for the inclusion of Kuranyi for the Germany team that will be traveling to South Africa this June. The Schalke striker is the club's top scorer in a season that has seen the club revitalised under coach Felix Magath and came close to winning the Bundesliga title. Bayern Munich eventually won it this past weekend.
Germany football legend Franz Beckenbauer even added his voice to the matter by asking Low to reconsider his stance over the player. The country should come first instead of individual pride, apparently.
But Low has now crafted a carefully thought out press statement that said that Kuranyi's international career is over - at least during his reign. The German coach claimed that the team's tactics and plans will not fit a player of Kuranyi's style and that appears to be the end of it.
Personally, Kuranyi is slightly overrated although there is no doubt over his goal poaching skills. But if Low cannot or is not willing to trust the player, it might not have been a good idea in the first place to include him. Whether it would prove to be the right decision in the end, only the end of the World Cup will bring a line under the whole issue.
There has been a history of bad blood between the Schalke striker and Low ever since the latter felt he was humiliated publicly by Kuranyi's walkout from the team in October 2008, when he was left out of the matchday squad altogether in a World Cup qualifier against Russia. The lanky player left the stadium without informing both the manager and his backroom staff and it was not until the squad was ready to leave on the team bus that Low found out what had happened.
There has been a push by both the media and fans this season for the inclusion of Kuranyi for the Germany team that will be traveling to South Africa this June. The Schalke striker is the club's top scorer in a season that has seen the club revitalised under coach Felix Magath and came close to winning the Bundesliga title. Bayern Munich eventually won it this past weekend.
Germany football legend Franz Beckenbauer even added his voice to the matter by asking Low to reconsider his stance over the player. The country should come first instead of individual pride, apparently.
But Low has now crafted a carefully thought out press statement that said that Kuranyi's international career is over - at least during his reign. The German coach claimed that the team's tactics and plans will not fit a player of Kuranyi's style and that appears to be the end of it.
''The disciplinary incident in October 2008 was not a consideration recently.
''However, after consideration among our coaching staff we came to the conclusion that we had other ideas, tactically and personnel-wise, for the composition of the World Cup squad.
''This I discussed today frankly with Kevin, who has had a strong season and whom I think is a player of sound character.'' Joachim Low via a DFB press relesae.
''However, after consideration among our coaching staff we came to the conclusion that we had other ideas, tactically and personnel-wise, for the composition of the World Cup squad.
''This I discussed today frankly with Kevin, who has had a strong season and whom I think is a player of sound character.'' Joachim Low via a DFB press relesae.
Personally, Kuranyi is slightly overrated although there is no doubt over his goal poaching skills. But if Low cannot or is not willing to trust the player, it might not have been a good idea in the first place to include him. Whether it would prove to be the right decision in the end, only the end of the World Cup will bring a line under the whole issue.
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