ClaretandHugh source: ‘Board split on Allardyce’

Gold sullivan BradyEarly indications from the momentous meeting into Sam Allardyce’s West Ham future is that there is a split right down the middle of the board!

Sources close to the situation  have told ClaretandHugh exclusively this morning the outcome of the meeting could prove inconclusive.

As the three main board members – Sullivan, David Gold and Karen Brady – settled down at the chief shareholder’s Essex mansion, things were too tight to call.

Our source told us exlssuively that Sullivan himself is ready to give Allardyce the thumbs down believing that the fans have passed judgement on the manager.

He even apologised to supporters at the end of season awards dinner for the awful campaign and his attitude is believed to remain the same.

Gold, however, is believed to still hold the view that the manager is a safe pair of hands and that the best way forward is to allow him one more year before replacing him at the end of his contract.

Brady therefore – who is no longer seen as necessarily a regular Sullivan supporter in meetings – may hold the key to the manager’s future in those circumstances.

Our source said: “This is no foregone conclusion because the general rule is that there has to be unanimous agreement on such critical matters and I’m not sure they have that.

“David Sullivan could – if he felt strongly enough – over-rule any decision the meeting arrives at but that’s unlikely. It’s going to be a long day

“Much will rest on the manager’s attitude on the problems he has with the fans – that remains uppermost in the board’s mind”

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon