Speculation has been rife since yesterday’s shock boardroom resignation that David Sullivan would be passing on control of his shares in West Ham United to his two sons – Jack and David Jr. Many Claret and Hugh readers had suggested that Sullivan – senior – would, by retaining his shares, remain a key figure in the background with the two young Sullivans keeping the families’ influence alive in the boardroom at London Stadium.
News has just broken this evening of the direction of travel at West Ham United and it will take those cynics, who suspected the Sullivans sought to retain control, by surprise.
It also seems to offer the real possibility of the absolute end of the Sullivan era at West Ham United.
According to insider ExWHUEmployee, reported on the West Ham Way Patreon page, David Sullivan’s two sons have zero interest in taking over the reins from their father at West Ham United.
“There had been strong rumours that his sons Dave and Jack would take over the responsibility for the foreseeable future. We can confirm that this is not the plan going forward.
“Both Dave and Jack have their own businesses which they wish to focus their time on and will not be following in their father’s footsteps.”
In addition, it seems highly likely that Daniel Kretinsky’s share holding in West Ham United could be increasing in the near future:“The club intend to announce soon what the direction of the club will be with rumours that Daniel Kretzinsky could be looking to increase his ownership share”
Turbulent times in the boardroom but the real possibility offered in that last sentence of a true ‘end of era’ for David Sullivan’s shareholding at West Ham United. Excited yet?
I would guess that neither the Gold, Trip Smith or Daniel Kretinski shareholders will allow their investments to be hit by allowing the Sullivan Dynasty to continue with an inexperienced 25 year old running the club. Would you if you had millions invested?
All shareholders will want to protect their investments and stabilise the club – the obvious thing to do is have a board made up of a CEO and have them operate the club with a DoF and the manager. Then each shareholder can join the WHU board and vote on board-level decisions, not run the club and manage transfers.
This whole transition has clearly been planned, with Brady leaving in April to protect her reputation from Sullivan.
I would guess that the we will spend most of next season being CEO/DoF run, with potential scenarios of
1. Kretinski moves to secure majority ownership for medium term, looks to add value and sell long term
2. Trip smith makes a move, with a US backed consortium
3. Some other bidder comes out of left field.
Sullivan family just won’t be able to raise the capital needed to buy out and control the club.
Any shareholder could either buy the other shares or dilute the share holdings by creating more and injecting money into the club but that needs other shareholders to vote for that.
CEO/DOF running the show.. Amen to that Graham. yes, it surely has been coming a while and Brady’s departure can’t be considered a coincidence.
The day the Gold and Sullivan families don’t hold a single share, Terry Brown doesn’t have an honorary position and West Ham play in a proper football stadium that they own is the day I can truly celebrate.
Thank God for that, hopefully we’ll have professional people who know the game.
On a separate note, great to hear Christian Eriksen has regained consciousness after collapsing playing for Denmark 👍
Read this and ran out into the street doing cartwheels and star jumps shouting ‘ we are not customers anymore’
No not excited at all until it’s confirmed that the Sullivans have parted company with west ham! And we are free to rebuild our club with good decent professional people in the top positions in the football club!