West Ham United is poised for a dramatic ownership change as Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold move to increase their combined stake to 43 percent, positioning themselves to overtake current chairman David Sullivan.
Shareholder Realignment
The pair have voiced deep concern over recent allegations of sexually exploitative behaviour levelled against Sullivan, claims he denies and for which he has been barred from contact with the club’s women’s and youth programmes for three years.
Kretinsky, who already holds a 27 percent share, will see his stake swell to 43 percent, comfortably surpassing Sullivan’s 38.8 percent holding, a move that would make the duo the club’s largest shareholders.
Promotion Push
Their intervention comes as West Ham grapple with a £104.2 million loss for the financial year ending 31 May 2025 and a recent relegation that has left them competing in the Championship.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided the team to the brink of promotion last season, has been retained in the hope of securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
Off‑Field Ambitions
The financial injection promised by the new backers is also intended to stabilise the club’s books, retain key players and rebuild bridges with a fan base that has staged protests against Sullivan and chief executive Karren Brady.
Interest in Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes from Manchester United underscores the club’s ambition to strengthen the squad while navigating the transfer market.
Beyond the pitch, Kretinsky’s existing stake in the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s and his reputation as a savvy investor add weight to the partnership, which aims to restore confidence among supporters and commercial partners.