Newcastle United will head to Australia after the conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League season, with Alan Shearer now sharing his thoughts on the journey. The season’s finale on May 19th should mark the end of the players’ commitments, but instead, they’ll embark on a journey spanning over 10,000 miles to participate in two additional matches.
The Magpies are set to engage in two post-season friendly matches in Melbourne, one against Premier League contenders Tottenham Hotspur and another against the A-League All Stars. This presents a potential opportunity for Garang Kuol to make his debut for Newcastle, particularly as he is an international player for Australia.
The decision to undertake this trip is primarily motivated by commercial interests, as the club aims to boost its revenue amidst the financial pressures of profitability and sustainability.
However, from the players’ standpoint, the excursion may not be as appealing. Conor Coady shares this sentiment, expressing doubts that the Newcastle players will be enthusiastic about the journey to Australia.
This sentiment is echoed by Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer reacts to Newcastle United’s planned trip to Australia
Alan Shearer responded to the Athletic’s report about Newcastle and Tottenham’s post-season tour to Australia.
He wrote: “I bet the players are delighted!!”
I bet the players are delighted!! https://t.co/vgvKe1UwHO
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 21, 2024
Newcastle United’s trip to Australia will divide opinions
The decision likely hasn’t been well received by the Newcastle United players, particularly considering the taxing nature of the current season. With an abundance of matches and a high number of injuries, the players have already endured significant physical demands.
While many may not sympathize due to the generous compensation players receive for their profession, it’s crucial to consider player welfare. This trip coincides with a period when several players may be preparing for major tournaments like Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
Moreover, there’s the environmental concern to factor in, with criticism directed towards both Newcastle and Tottenham for undertaking a lengthy flight to the other side of the world for just a brief period.
Newcastle need to grow their brand
The club will use the trip as an opportunity to expand its brand. Newcastle has fans all across the world, and they also want to expand into new markets and possibly boost their earnings.
That will always be the goal of the game for Newcastle United officials, especially given how strained they are by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability requirements. They will consider excursions like this as extremely advantageous, as they seek to bridge the financial gap and provide Eddie Howe with all of the resources he requires to make Newcastle United as competitive as possible.
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