Germany coach Joachim Loew has decided against taking Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi to the World Cup.
The German football federation says Kuranyi will not be in the provisional World Cup squad that is announced Thursday,
Kuranyi was kicked off the national team in October 2008 for disciplinary reasons. His good form this season had brought calls for his inclusion in the World Cup squad for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.
Kuranyi has scored 18 goals for Schalke, which will finish second in the Bundesliga.
Loew removed Kuranyi from the team and vowed never to recall him again. But Loew said Monday the 2008 incident played no role in his decision.
"It would have been no problem for us to give him another chance. But we came to the conclusion that we have other tactical and personnel ideas for choosing the World Cup squad," Loew said Monday.
Kuranyi left the stadium at halftime of Germany's World Cup qualifying when he was not picked for the squad and sent friends to collect his bags from the team hotel. He later apologized and often expressed hope that he would be pardoned.
Kuranyi also missed the 2006 World Cup at home, when he was dropped by then coach Juergen Klinsmann shortly before the tournament.
"My dream to play at the World Cup has been dashed for the second time. Clearly, this decision makes me very sad," Kuranyi said. "I gave it my best this season. But it wasn't enough. It's a decision by the coach that I accept and respect."
