 Kuranyi (right) has been in good form for Schalke this season. |
Germany coach Joachim Low has opted against recalling Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi for this summer's World Cup in South Africa. Low will name a preliminary squad on Thursday, but has phoned Kuranyi to tell him he will not be present despite scoring 20 times this season. "We had other ideas, tactically and personnel-wise," a statement by the German Football Association read. Kuranyi, 28, has not played for Germany since falling out with Low in 2008. In October of that year, the Brazil-born striker, furious at being omitted from the squad to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier, sat with other unselected players, but left the stadium before the final whistle and was disciplined by the German Football Association.  | 606: DEBATE |
However, the German FA insists his past record was not a factor in the selection for this summer's tournament. "The disciplinary incident in October 2008 was not a consideration recently," the statement added. "It would have been no problem for us to give him a new chance in the national team. Low said: "I discussed this frankly with Kevin, who has had a strong season and whom I think is a player of sound character." Kuranyi has been linked with a move to the premier League for the start of next season, with Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly interested in the former Stuttgart player.
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