I was wrong, but have no regrets says Kuranyi

Striker Kevin Kuranyi has explained why he walked out on Germany and admitted he was wrong to leave the team without permission during the 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Russia.

The 26-year-old watched Saturday’s game from the stands as one of two squad players not involved, but having been granted permission to meet friends at half-time, he failed to meet the team bus after the game.

Friends went to the team’s hotel in Duesseldorf to collect his possessions early on Sunday morning and Germany coach Joachim Loew announced on Sunday he will not pick Kuranyi again for die Mannschaft.

“We could not tolerate Kevin’s actions,” said team manager Oliver Bierhoff on Tuesday.

Kuranyi now admits he was wrong and apologised to Loew on Sunday, but the coach insists there is no way back into the national fold for the player.

“I couldn’t stand it anymore,” Kuranyi told German tabloid Bild on Tuesday.

“I did not participate in the 2006 World Cup, then was hardly used during Euro 2008 although I was in good form.

“I travelled to the national team last weekend having scored two goals for Schalke – and I found myself in the stands in Dortmund.

“I just wanted to get away.

“It is a very, very difficult situation for me, I would not wish this on anyone.

“What I did affected the team and I was wrong.

“I also apologised to the coach in a telephone calls, there are no words of compensation.”

But Kuranyi, who has made 52 appearances for Germany, said he has no regrets.

The root of the extraordinary walk-out goes back to before the 2006 World Cup when Kuranyi was dumped by then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann on the eve of the tournament.

Having won his way back and helped Germany qualify for Euro 2008, Kuranyi was kept on the sidelines during the tournament while Mario Gomez struggled in his place.

“I stand behind what I did – I do not regret anything,” he added.

“The collapse came over what happened in the past three years. I could not bear that any longer – as a player and a person.”

Whether Kuranyi ever plays for Germany again remains to be seen.

“That is something for, I just need to concentrate on my performance,” he added.

Schalke fans displayed a banner saying: “Kevin, we still believe in you!” when the player returned for training on Monday, but there is little sympathy here for Kuranyi’s actions.

Despite the player’s apology Loew says his mind is made up.

“We spoke briefly on Sunday and he apologised in principle and explained that his decision to leave the team was an error,” said Loew.

“I accepted this apology, however it changes nothing over my decision.”