Hapoel Ramat Gan Returns to Premier League with Record Budget
Hapoel Ramat Gan prepares for its Premier League return with a record budget and ambitious infrastructure goals, despite facing early challenges and stadium constraints.
Hapoel Ramat Gan is returning to the Premier League after a 13-year absence, backed by the largest budget in the club's history—just over 26 million shekels. The milestone coincides with the historic club's upcoming centenary. In an interview, CEO and co-owner Avi Yechiel outlined the club's long-term vision, emphasizing that survival is not the only objective.
"In our last six stints in the Premier League, five times we relegated after a single year, and once we managed to stay up only to drop down the following year, so we face a massive challenge," Yechiel said. "The goal is not just to survive, meaning not all resources are funneled into the senior squad. We want to build a club with significant infrastructure and lay foundations for many years."
Overcoming Hurdles and Squad Overhaul
Despite the ambitions, the team currently plays its home matches in Rehovot as the National Stadium in Ramat Gan lacks approval and Winter Stadium undergoes renovations. Meanwhile, the club underwent a dramatic roster transformation, signing 23 new players and bringing in nine new staff members, including physiotherapists, fitness coaches, and analysts.
Reflecting on a heavy 5-0 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv, Yechiel remained resolute: "This loss is not something we live with in peace or take lightly. We received a slap, we will check why it happened and ensure it doesn't happen again." Looking ahead to the remainder of the campaign, management aims to establish a solid foundation that ensures sustainable success in Israel's top flight.
