Kretinsky history makes full takeover unlikely

Reports that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky will mount a full takeover of West Ham look entirely based on his previous investment history.

The 46-year-old has a long history of minority ownership and it is a strategy that has worked very well imdeed for him.

Even as president at Sparta Prague  he remains the minority shareholder with 40% of the shares.

He has a 49 per cent stake in French newspaper Le Monde  as well as a 5% stake at US department store Macy’s

He owns 10.3% ownership of Footlocker and 10% of Sainsbury’s.

The Czech tycoon’s Luxenberg investment vehicle, Vesa, is the largest shareholder in Royal Mail with a 19 per cent stake

His investment firm also co-owns the Czech News Center which publishes several daily newspapers (Blesk, Aha! and Sport) as well as a  4.63% stake in French retailer Casino (Casino, which owns the famous Monoprix and Franprix supermarket and convenience store brands, among others)

They have a stake in Germany’s Metro and a 40% stake in Mall Group, a major e-commerce company in Central and Eastern Europe.

Last month he is reported to have taken a 5% stake in French broadcaster TF1.