Hapoel Ramat Gan Returns to Israeli Premier League After 13 Years with Major Overhaul

Hapoel Ramat Gan has secured promotion back to the Israeli Premier League after 13 years in the second division, following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva. The club, which was relegated in 2013 just days after winning the State Cup, aims to establish itself firmly in the top tier this season. The team underwent significant changes last season, including a change in ownership from Amir Hamias to a new consortium led by real estate businessman Hanan Salanson, with former player Avi Yehiel managing club operations.

The new ownership reportedly saved the club from severe financial collapse, with insiders revealing that without their intervention, the club would have struggled to pay player salaries in the final months of last season. Coach Massi Dago, who took over mid-season last year when the team was eighth in the league, led the club through a remarkable unbeaten streak to finish second and secure promotion. Dago, who has experience coaching several clubs including Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv, received a contract extension and is heavily involved in team building.

Ramat Gan has revamped its squad extensively, signing at least 18 new players, including six foreign recruits with European experience such as Portuguese defender Jota, Serbian midfielder Serjan Mijalovic, Brazilian winger Luan Campos, and Cameroonian striker Marius Novice. The club also signed Israeli players with Premier League experience like Maksim Plakuschenko and Tamir Glazer, alongside promising loanees.

The team will play its home matches at the new stadium in Rehovot temporarily while renovations continue at their Ramat Gan stadium. Their Premier League campaign starts with a tough schedule, including away games against Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv, and home matches against Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Maccabi Netanya. Ahead of the league start, Ramat Gan will host Beitar Jerusalem in a Toto Cup ranking match, serving as a dress rehearsal for the season.

The club’s leadership and coach express cautious optimism, emphasizing survival in the Premier League as the primary goal amid a challenging opening fixture list and a newly assembled squad.