Sullivan Looks Set To Remain at West Ham as Staveley Talks Go Quiet

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

Amanda Staveley was reportedly at the London Stadium last night to watch Take That, but it is increasingly looking like that is as close as she will get to owning West Ham.

The boy band (who are now in their 50s) named their tour Circus, which is somehow fitting given the history of West Ham in recent years.

But as many of us hope, that clownish ownership is now a thing of the past.

Talks Have Gone Quiet

Earlier this week, Staveley was rumoured to have been in talks with Daniel Kretinsky over the prospect of buying into the club.

As mentioned on Claret & Hugh last week, suggestions she was looking to complete a full takeover of West Ham United always seemed well wide of the mark.

Nothing we have seen from Daniel Kretinsky since the resignation of David Sullivan has pointed towards somebody who wishes to dilute his influence at the football club.

Therefore, any discussions with Staveley would almost certainly have centred around purchasing alternative shares rather than taking control herself.

But things have gone very quiet following the reported meeting.

Considering Staveley is not normally shy when it comes to speaking publicly, you would have thought that had things progressed positively, we’d have heard something by now. I might be wrong of course and it’s just my opinion but the chances of the former Newcastle owner investing are looking less likely.

Kretinsky Looks Set To Take Control

To be clear, this is just my reading of the situation but as things stand, I suspect West Ham are set to proceed with Daniel Kretinsky owning a 42% shareholding, but having outright control of the football club through agreements with fellow board members and shareholders to vote alongside him.

That would effectively give him control without necessarily becoming the majority shareholder.

Sullivan Going Nowhere

What this means for David Sullivan is, as I understand it, very much the status quo.

There appears to be a reluctance on Sullivan’s part to sell his shares at a reduced Championship valuation.

Equally, he also appears unlikely to exercise his option to buy Vanessa Gold’s shares, with that window now rapidly closing.

As a result, I suspect Sullivan will remain the second-largest shareholder at West Ham United, albeit without the influence of an executive position.

Quite how that sits with the Independent Football Regulator remains to be seen.

But for those hoping to see the back of the former chairman, unless there are some major developments over the next few days, I think we’re stuck with him for the time being.