West Ham joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky remains coy on his intentions with the club amid claims David Sullivan is open to selling his majority stake – but the Czech billionaire has made an exciting vow to fans.
David Sullivan may have resigned from the West Ham board on Saturday, but he remains the club’s majority stakeholder with a 38.8 per cent share.
Speculation has been rife that Daniel Kretinsky, West Ham’s second biggest stakeholder with a 27 per cent share, will now buy Sullivan out.
Kretinsky stated he has no intention of full ownership of West Ham during a rare interview in 2024.
Kretinsky remains coy on his West Ham intentions
At the time, the 24th wealthiest person on The Sunday Times’ 2026 Rich List suggested he would consider increasing his stake.
But he made a point of saying it was not his intention to become the majority owner.
How do you feel NOW about a full Daniel Kretinsky takeover? 💰
Sullivan out at all costs? Or has the Czech ship sailed?
Whether that has changed in light of Sullivan’s departure remains to be seen.
Because Kretinsky remains coy on his West Ham intentions but has made an exciting vow to fans.
There is no hiding the fact West Ham – and the club’s fans – are pretty desperate right now.
So it is hardly surprising supporters are clinging to the hope Kretinsky will be their knight in shining armour in the wake of relegation and Sullivan’s exit following a tumultuous 16-and-a-half-year tenure.
Kretinsky’s exciting West Ham masterplan was supposedly leaked after Sullivan’s departure was announced on Saturday.
However, speaking in the wake of West Ham’s relegation – and amid claims Sullivan will now sell his stake – Kretinsky has offered no guarantees he will up his stake let alone push for full ownership.
Kretinsky makes exciting Premier League vow to fans
The Sparta Prague owner did however make a pledge to stay at the club despite relegation and vowed to get them back into the Premier League, seeing it as his “duty”.
Speaking on Czech podcast Vsechno zacina dnes, Kretinsky appears to have suggested he has had little say in the way the club has been run during its recent demise due to his minority stake.
What would you say if Sullivan put West Ham up for sale TODAY?
Let us know in the comments…
But while he says ‘we will see’ about buying more of the club, the energy tycoon insists he will do everything possible to get West Ham back where they belong.
“In West Ham, we’re a minority shareholder, we don’t control the club, but of course we are a part of the important conversations,” Kretinsky said.
“It kind of helps that you don’t have the ultimate responsibility so you don’t feel you messed up something for the fans. But I’ve found my stress limit here, too. We’ve made mistakes in the past that have cost us relegation.
“Definitely (I will stay on). It doesn’t matter if we’re in first or the second tier. That’s not a reason to abandon the club. A reason for that would be if we could not agree on a strategy with other shareholders, but not a relegation.
“Now that we’re down, I will try to find any possible way I can (to) contribute to West Ham’s return to the Premier League. We’ll see (if I will have a bigger share). But I see it as a duty getting us promoted.”
Kretinsky making clear he feels it is now his duty to get the Hammers back into the big time is both reassuring and exciting for fans to hear.
It is a much-needed boost for the club amid all the uncertainty and upheaval of recent weeks.
But the big question remains unanswered, what next for Sullivan’s shares and will Kretinsky be the man to buy them.
His apparent reluctance for full ownership could open the door for Amanda Staveley’s US group to buy West Ham.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
