Hapoel Petah Tikva Sets 31.8 Million Shekel Budget Amid Calls for Squad Reinforcements

Hapoel Petah Tikva revealed a budget of 31.8 million shekels for the upcoming season, covering player salaries, youth development, and operational expenses. This announcement came after the team suffered a 2-1 loss to newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan, despite initially leading the match. The defeat followed a previous derby victory, but the team showed a weaker performance than expected under coach Omer Peretz.

Players acknowledged the need for significant reinforcements to replicate last season's success, with some substitutes failing to impress when given playing time. The coaching staff remains confident that acquiring a central defender and two to three attacking players will improve the team's prospects. Defender Alex Musonda is expected to return to training ahead of the match against Maccabi Netanya, though the club is cautious about his fitness.

Behind the scenes, efforts are underway to secure additional sponsors to expand the budget. The club's submitted budget to the league's oversight includes not only the senior team's expenses but also youth teams and suppliers. The management emphasizes that without strengthening the squad, repeating last year's achievements will be challenging.