'I decide when my time in the Bundesliga is over' - Kruse hits back after Kovac dumps Wolfsburg

Former Germany striker Max Kruse has insisted he will decide the end of his Bundesliga career as he hit out at Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac for leaving him in the cold.

Kruse, who earned 14 caps in Germany between 2013 and 2015, was left out of Wolfsburg's 1-0 victory over Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, their first Bundesliga win of the season.

Kovac and sporting director Marcel Schafer said there was no turning back for Kruse, with the former stating: "We demand 100% identification, focus and focus on Wolfsburg from of all the players. We didn't have that feeling with Max."

Schafer then insisted the 34-year-old, who scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Wolfsburg last season after joining in January, would not play for Die Wolfe again.

In a video posted to his Instagram account, Kruse refuted Kovac's claims about his lack of application, saying, "I respect the coach's opinion, apparently I shouldn't identify with the club anymore.

"But anyone who knows me knows that I have been a professional for 10 or 12 years, when I always gave everything for the club I played for.

"That will continue to be the case as long as I can train and play football.

"I came to Wolfsburg in January to help the team, and I think I did that in the second half of last season.

"I decide the end of my time in the Bundesliga myself, and no one else decides for me."