By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Award-winning journalist Henry Winter has welcomed Amanda Staveley’s proposed investment in West Ham, describing both her and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi as “football people” who made a significant difference during their time at Newcastle United.
Winter wrote on X:
“Good to see Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi back in football (if deal to buy the Gold family’s West Ham United shares goes through). Popular, love the game, get things done. Newcastle United lost something when they left, a link through the club, dressing-room to board-room.”
As things stand, Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners have had an offer accepted for Vanessa Gold’s 25.1% shareholding, with West Ham’s existing shareholders now expected to decide over the coming weeks whether to exercise their pre-emption rights and match the bid.
Exactly What West Ham Need?
Winter’s comments struck a chord with me because I think they highlight exactly what West Ham have been missing.
There’s no reason to doubt that Daniel Křetínský, Vanessa Gold and Albert Tripp-Smith are all well-intentioned owners.
But would anyone seriously describe them as football people? I wouldn’t.
Křetínský has now been involved with West Ham for several years and, hand on heart, I can only remember seeing him at one match.
Compare that with Staveley and Ghodoussi, who built a reputation at Newcastle for being visible, approachable and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the football club.
But having people around the club who genuinely live and breathe football, understand the industry and possess an extensive network of contacts can only strengthen West Ham.
For me, that’s every bit as important as the money they might bring with them.
They might bring something to the club for a period but ultimately they are in it for their investors are they not? At some point they will be looking to sell up and exit at a profit. Whether that’s to super rich Arabs as they did with Newcastle, remains to be seen.
I am not interested in who West Ham are interested in or who they have got tabs on. I am interested in what players have signed for us and want to see them in the shirt. I am 89 and totally non stuff is bearing down on me yet again. Buy someone who is of the right age and will play in his right position. I am now quite fed up with Nuno. The former Newcastle manager is available. Even though I think he is untrustworthy, give him a go. At least he is well known to Staveley. For God’s sake, do something. Anything! If it goes tits up, so what? We are used to it. At least give us something to look forward to.
Lots of mention about what’s going to happen in 12/24/36 months.
How about building some bridges and just worry about present day problems.
Signings would be a good starting place.
Lots of praise for a couple involved in a team that, for a while last season were in the mix with West Ham for relegation, and that after spending millions on supposedly top class players. They may be a step up from what we have but definitely not the final solution, so keep looking.
Can’t agree with you more and at the same time feel we would be a much bigger deal with DK in partnership with them.
In fairness, Kretinsky has Ben been involved in football for many years with Slavia Prague it’s not forget that
I agree with your sentiments Gonzo and Lee Black and White great words thanks.
Any genuine football person would have sacked Nuno after last seasons debacle. It wasn’t all his fault but 75% was. We are now stuck with a rubbish manager no incoming players and no plan. If Staveley and co can get us back on the straight and narrow, help get rid of the grubby individual who has besmirched this club for years then great. So they move on and take their money it is just up to us to get the correct people in to take over. I don’t think we want to be the new Chelsea where everything we want is just handed to us I think we just want the chance that someone helps back our feet and heading in the right direction. A new manager would be a start.
Gonzo you may well be right, but I’m still concerned how this will go with the fly in the ointment Sulivan. I will feel much better when he is out of the club or has only a small share of the club ownership.
If the consortium do buy the shares there’s a former and extremely talented manager they previously enjoyed working with currently available too. That would encourage Nuno to get us off to a good start!
Amanda Staveley would be ideal. I just hope she’ll buy all out all the current investors and bring in people with the kind of ambition that has been so lacking. Good to hear DK came to that game…I’ve never seen him.
Be careful what you wish for
Gonzo, I really like the way you rightly talk up the positives for Staveley and Ghodoussi. It is admirable the way they show the supporters that they really care about the club they invested in, and Newcastle fans were obviously impressed. Kretinsky is a smart man but it would rile a lot of fans, me included, that he does not show much interest in West Ham other than that of being an investment. Don’t get me wrong, he does want the club to succeed but it is definitely coming from the head much more than from the heart. So I would like him to remain as a minority shareholder, as he prefers, and see Staveley and Ghodoussi eventually achieve the majority shareholding. I’d love to see them cheering at the London Stadium with the same enthusiasm that they showed at St James Park. Bring it on!
The only thing that worries me is how long Staveley & co decide to stay at West ham before moving on to another club.
You only have to look at whats happened at Newcastle and I wouldn’t want us back to square one in a couple of years time.
My question is who is actually now in charge I.e. Who made the club statement on the website? Is it Kretinsky or someone else?
The only thing that worries me is how long Staveley & co decide to stay at West ham before moving on to another club.
You only have to look at whats happened at Newcastle and I wouldn’t want us back to square one in a couple of years time.
and end up like chelsea ???
Staveley and co. are “football people” or just “football club flippers” in return for some millions of hard currency..
This could be stated for Sullivan as well..
But for Kretinsky, is he a “stayer” or a “flipper” ?
Gutted.
Best thing ever happened to Nufc.
West Ham have an amazing opportunity with this couple joining.
Nufc have never recovered from their departure.
Good luck A &G
Wish you were here 💔
Nice words. Needs to be met with nice actions to mean anything.