New power struggle at West Ham as secretive Daniel Kretinsky stamps his authority with four big calls

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West Ham now have a divided boardroom to add to the chaos unfolding in east London but it could be just what’s needed to start getting real solutions.

On the pitch, West Ham are already facing up to a season-long fight for their Premier League lives following a dismal start to the new season.

As a result Graham Potter is fighting for his life as Hammers boss having won just six of his 25 games in charge since taking over nine months ago.

Off the pitch, West Ham’s fans are protesting against the owners – specifically majority stakeholder David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.

It comes after the West Ham Fan Advisory Board issued a public vote of no confidence in the ownership.

While most supporters see Potter as the latest symptom of bad ownership rather than a cause, they have now turned on him too during the defeat to Crystal Palace last time out.

New power struggle at West Ham

West Ham have lost five of their six games so far this season and are bottom of every key metric – both attack and defence –

The situation has been billed as ‘civil war’ by the national press.

That was certainly the case between Sullivan’s reality star fiancée and Hammers supporters this week.

Ampika Pickston has been embroiled in an ugly war of words with West Ham fans which many see as a new low for the club.

After the Palace defeat, it was reported Potter’s sacking was inevitable.

But there was a difference of opinion between Sullivan and Brady over where West Ham turn next.

Sullivan reportedly liked the idea of Slaven Bilic returning while Brady wants Nuno Espirito Santo after he reportedly held meetings with the Hammers.

The delay in West Ham appointing Nuno was explained as Potter earns a stay of execution for at least the Everton game and perhaps even Arsenal after that to get the Irons to the international break.

Now there is a new power struggle at West Ham as secretive Daniel Kretinsky stamps his authority with four big calls.

The excitement was palpable when Czech Sphinx Kretinsky became West Ham’s second biggest stakeholder in November 2021, buying 27 per cent of the club for around £150m.

Described in his homeland as a ‘secretive’ figure, Kretinsky – who also owns his boyhood club Sparta Prague – reassured fans in an open letter that he was here for the right reasons and had experience of running a football club regularly competing in Europe and for silverware.

Besides a rare TV interview in his homeland last year where Kretinsky made it clear he has no interest in a full takeover of West Ham, Hammers fans have barely heard from him since.

Now, nearly four years on from his arrival, it seems Kretinsky has seen enough.

Secretive Kretinsky stamps authority with four big West Ham calls

The shrewd investor is worth in excess of £13bn now according to the latest rich lists.

So he knows when one of his investments is turning sour.

West Ham fans have been angered by the board’s delay in dealing with the Potter situation.

There have been reports that the Hammers ownership are practically forfeiting two matches just so any new manager doesn’t have to face back-to-back away games against Everton and Arsenal as their opening matches.

While Nuno has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Potter at the London Stadium, the likes of Sean Dyche, Scott Parker, Gary O’Neil and Bilic have also been linked.

The situation at West Ham has drawn Kretinsky from the shadows, though.

Any major decisions at West Ham must be voted on by the board.

So fans should not be fooled that Kretinsky hasn’t had his hand in the current mess and decline.

But the alarming situation the club is in has reportedly seen Kretinsky take special interest this week.

Claret and Hugh, which has had links to West Ham’s board down the years, claims Kretinsky is starting to throw his weight around for the first time.

Firstly it is claimed Kretinsky has expressly vetoed appointing three specific managers.

Kretinsky rules out trio and wants Silva lining for Hammers

He is said to have been sent the names of potential candidates and has turned down former Hammers stars Parker, O’Neil and Bilic.

Kretinsky is said to be increasingly concerned about the looming threat of relegation.

Crucially, Kretinsky did not rule out Nuno Espirito Santo.

That tallies with the latest from the journalist who first revealed West Ham’s interest in the ex Forest boss after the defeat to Spurs.

Alan Nixon says a West Ham deal to make Nuno manager is moving closer.

While the report does state Nuno remains the most likely replacement for Potter, Kretinsky’s other big call was to make his pick for the new manager clear.

The Hammers co-owner wants Fulham boss Marco Silva, who has been linked with West Ham on several occasions including after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui in January.

Silva is Kretinsky’s ‘preferred choice’ but he is facing opposition from Sullivan and Brady while the cost would also count towards West Ham’s outgoings in terms of PSR.

It can be now bad thing if Kretinsky is now starting to take a keener interest.

While he is just as culpable for the current situation given his lofty place on the board, his demands may actually lead to some better results and more considered decision-making from the Hammers over their next moves.