Ange Postecoglou is relishing being back in his hometown of Melbourne with his Tottenham squad ahead of ‘Global Football Week’ – but football legend Alan Shearer has slammed the trip as ‘madness’ – and many Spurs fans agree with him.
Spurs and Newcastle flew out to Australia just hours after playing their final game of the Premier League season on the weekend – and former Socceroos boss Postecoglou felt it was a priceless opportunity to showcase some of the best players in the world on local shores.
‘To be able to bring Tottenham Hotspur to my home town of Melbourne is truly special,’ he told News Corp.
‘The Premier League is the best league in the world, we’ve got an exciting, young team and this gives our fans Down Under the opportunity to come and see some of the biggest names in world football playing a style of football that they will enjoy.’
‘Aussie Ange’ – fresh from guiding Tottenham to fifth place in the Premier League and securing a spot in the Europa League – also can’t wait to take on Eddie Howe’s men on the hallowed turf of the MCG.
Ange Postecoglou is relishing being back in his home town of Melbourne with his Tottenham squad ahead of ‘Global Football Week’
Spurs – including talisman Son Heung-min (pictured) – tackle fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United at the MCG on May 22
Postecoglou labelled the sporting venue ‘iconic and historic’ and declared he will be ‘honoured to be able to step onto that turf, leading Spurs out.’
Shearer, the Premier League’s record goalscorer and a Newcastle hero, was on a very different page.
‘Can you imagine if you are a player who is playing in either the [upcoming] Copa America or Euro 2024 having to do that?
‘Madness. Crazy,’ he told Match Of The Day.
‘I wouldn’t be happy at all. It’s crazy for Newcastle to go and play Spurs there on Wednesday night [AEST] and then another game [on Friday versus the A-League All Stars].’
Hotspur supporters were on the same page as Shearer, with some branding the trip ‘money making at the expense of the players’ health’ and ‘nothing but greed’ while others pleaded for the club to give its stars a break.
The European Championships begin in Germany on June 14 while the Copa America kicks off six days later, with some players on the Aussie tour expected to feature in either of the tournaments.
Newcastle and Spurs have named strong squads for the tour Down Under, with the Magpies taking Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, while Spurs have flown in the likes of James Maddison, Heung-Min Son and Micky van de Ven.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer (pictured) has hit out at his old club’s tour of Australia, labelling it ‘madness’
Kick-off at the MCG on Wednesday night is 7.45pm AEST.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Women’s squad have also flown out from London as part of Global Football Week, with Matildas trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross certain to be crowd favourites.
The Gunners take on an A-League All Stars Women squad on May 24 from 8.05pm at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
It follows the earlier clash between the A-League All Stars Men versus Newcastle United FC at 5.15pm at the same venue.