West Ham fans will have hoped it was coming for most of the last two years – but finally the wider football word sat up and took notice yesterday as the twenty fourth richest man in the UK took control of the east London football club, effectively kicking into touch disgraced former Chairman David Sullivan’s fifteen years of mismanagement.
Kretinsky, according to yahoo sports, has a fortune that dwarfs that of Sullivan:
“Despite the financial issues, Křetínský’s wealth should excite West Ham fans, with the Czech billionaire having a reported net worth of £8.185 billion, massively exceeding former majority shareholder David Sullivan, who is worth a reported £1.2 billion.”
And, says the same article, the Czech Sphinx will bring his expertise from owning Sparta Prague since 2004 into play and likely accelerate West Ham’s return to the top table of English football – and beyond.
“His tenure at Sparta Prague provides perhaps the clearest indication of what his leadership could look like at West Ham.”
“Since taking over in 2004, Sparta have re-emerged as a threatening side domestically and have regained presence on the European stage.”
( Presence? I’d say so: Fourteen UEFA Champions League campaigns, 13 Europa League qualifications and 2 UEFA conference League!! MT )
“This demonstrates the billionaire’s understanding of football ownership and his willingness to invest in both sporting success and long-term stability.”
Wealth is one thing, and of that there is no doubt. Whether Kretinsky can use his accumulated wisdom to turn round the fortunes of the club which has been so poorly run for so long may be a stern test of both his wallet and his ingenuity.
But West Ham fans are buckling in for the ride knowing – whatever else- there’s a new kid in town. And it will be anything other than dull.
This club has the potential to be a really successful London club. I often think we resemble Liverpool in style (not scale/achievement I know!) being football mad fans, who cheer on any academy in the team, admire good football, have a great history, want to see grit, pride & passion on the pitch,… It needs careful progress and a team that represents the soul of this club – which is why I hope players do still leave, even if they are quality players but do not have that character, or willingness.
NES + Paco (I hope) will need to plan accordingly as well and NES might have to be a little more adventurous than he has been, not only for the Championship, but beyond. He has deserved his chance, so fair’s fair, let’s hope he takes it but he’ll need to step up, as much as the players.
One can only hope. We’ve had years of pain under B&S. Apart from keeping our best players, a proper footbal stadium would also be a blessing, especially if it was built like Upton Park but with more seating. I could touch ‘Arry Boy from the Chicken Run.