Relegation-Struggling Tottenham to Kick Off Pre-Season Tour in New Zealand
On Monday, Tottenham Hotspur announced their intentions to embark on a lengthy flight to New Zealand for a pre-season friendly scheduled in July. The timing of this trip coincides with a critical juncture in their season, as they face the very real threat of relegation from the Premier League, having just parted ways with manager Igor Tudor after a brief stint of only seven matches. Currently, the London club is precariously positioned just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches left to play.
As part of their pre-season tour, Tottenham will be squaring off against Auckland FC on July 26th at Eden Park. This will mark Spurs’ second visit to New Zealand, the first being in 1976. Nick Becker, the chief executive of Auckland FC, expressed enthusiasm about hosting such a prominent team, stating, “Whatever happens to Tottenham this season, they remain an incredibly high-profile team with a worldwide fan base and we’re delighted to have them here in Auckland with us.”
In addition to their New Zealand fixture, Tottenham has also confirmed matches against Sydney FC and Chelsea, their London rivals, scheduled for July 29th and August 1st, respectively. The search for a suitable successor to Tudor is ongoing, with reports suggesting that former Brighton and Marseille coach Roberto de Zerbi is a candidate for the managerial position. Additionally, speculation surrounds Sean Dyche as a possible choice to steer the team clear of trouble.
