So far, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has done a pretty solid job delivering – or trying to deliver – what the West Ham United fans are demanding.
Kretinsky injected £90 million into the coffers while taking his share to 43 per cent, over and above that of departed chairman David Sullivan. As such, West Ham United are no longer in such a hurry to cash in on their prized assets.
Much to Manchester United’s frustration.
Kretinsky is taking a hardline stance regarding Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes, Dinos Mavropanos and the club’s various other in-demand talents.
What would you say if Amanda Staveley BOUGHT West Ham?
Staveley and Kretinsky could be quite the team… 📝 💰
Now that those Financial Fair Play concerns have been eased, you can forget about leaving for lowball sums.
And for those who have longed to see the club’s recruitment department dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, you will be delighted to learn that Steve Nickson could arrive from Newcastle. Should the appointment of the 61-year-old be confirmed, West Ham will finally have a recruitment expert overseeing transfers, rather than one meddling chairman.
It is early days, of course. But, with a week to go until their 2026/27 fixtures are announced, there is a palpable if cautious sense of optimism in East London. Who would have predicted that when West Ham’s 14-year spell in the Premier League came crashing down?
Put plans in place for a London Stadium exodus, meanwhile, and there will be a great deal more West Ham fans suggesting, as one does on Hammers News’ Facebook page, that ‘getting relegated for us is a good thing. Good stuff is finally happening’.
West Ham United fans are keen to hear Daniel Kretinsky’s London Stadium plans
When we asked the supporters to comment on Kretinsky’s first few weeks without Sullivan in the role of chairman, the reaction ranged from excitement to cautious optimism, via hopeful demands for a new place to call home.
“Build a football stadium fit for the Irons,” one writes.
“Build a proper football ground,” another agrees.
“That would be absolutely brilliant if that happens.”
“Go back to the Memorial Ground, in conjunction with the East London Rugby Club,” one suggests. “There’s loads of land on that old park that could be transformed.”
Kretinsky could buy and then transform the Hammers’ current home
As part of his overarching masterplan, Kretinsky seems to have another solution in mind. Sources on longstanding website KUMB report that Kretinsky plans to purchase the London Stadium and the land around it outright. This would therefore give him the power to finally transform this ‘bowl without a soul’ into an arena befitting a football club of such history.
“I’d love a new stadium, but where the hell is it going to go?” one fan writes with a dose of realism. “No room to build a bigger better one.
What is your FAVOURITE all-time West Ham badge? ⚒️
Tell us below, and why! 👇
“If they did rebuild, we would have nowhere to play and would have to share with [another club].”
Still, who can blame a long-suffering fanbase for chowing down on every scrap of positivity they can find. It’s been a while.
“[Kretinsky is] making all the sounds and moves early on. The next 12/24 months will be the test. I know Rome wasn’t built overnight so let’s all hope that this is indeed the real deal. Premiership first [priority], which I think is achievable and then let’s see
“I’d rather see Prem status and stability first, which I think is what’s needed before more off-field stuff can go ahead.”
“For the first time ever as a Hammers fan, I’m very optimistic of a bright future and it’s so clear now that Sullivan was holding our great football club back. Come on you Irons!”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
