WERDER.DE: Have you at least been able to look around you “new-old” hometown a little?
Max Kruse: “The most important challenge during my recovery period has been getting fit again – that has been my clear focus, therefore I haven't had much free time. I have, however, found a new house which I’ll be able to move into on 1st November and I’m really looking forward to that. In Wolfsburg, I just had a pre-furnished apartment.”
WERDER.DE: So it was a conscious decision to come back to Bremen?
Max Kruse: “Everyone feels better when they have their own four walls and personal belongings around them, and you don't just live out of a suitcase. That can be good for a while but you just don’t feel at home. This feel-good factor has always been very important for me and I believe that’s what I have here in Bremen and at Werder.
WERDER.DE: You still know a lot of people at the club from your first years here. Have you had time to have a chat with them yet?
Max Kruse: “Of course. Along with the active players who I see every day, there is also a coach who I played together with in Florian Bruns. I’ve also met up with people like [current U15s coach] Björn Dreyer, who I played with at youth level.
WERDER.DE: What is it like when a former teammate is now your coach?
Max Kruse: “He's now my coach and has the responsibility of making decisions with the coaching staff - you have to accept and respect that. But it’s obviously different when you've known him as a teammate and have experienced things together. Despite this change in the hierarchy, we still get along well.”
WERDER.DE: You both are part of the St. Pauli fraction at Werder. Do you often talk about your time in Hamburg?
Max Kruse: “I had a great time with Flo and Fin at St. Pauli; we got promoted together and were able to experience the Bundesliga. You don’t forget that in a hurry – celebrating promotion stays in your memory forever."