West Ham United are facing an uncertain summer this year. The team are currently fighting the prospect of Premier League relegation, whilst off the field the club posted significant losses meaning that assets will have to be sold after the conclusion of the season, regardless of the team’s division.
This week, Baroness Karren Brady announced her departure from the club after 16 years within the club’s hierarchy. Whilst for those inside the club, this decision had been brewing for some time, the announcement came as a shock for most outsiders, but is widely welcomed by West Ham fans as they look for change.
As vice-chair, Brady orchestrated the Hammers move to the London Stadium, promising it would allow the club to excel financially and increase commercial success. The Baroness also oversaw the team win the Europa Conference League and the record sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
This season, according to The Athletic, Brady vetoed plans for a Director of Football at West Ham, after interviewing candidates, and was leading the chase to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo to replace Graham Potter, who was sacked in 2025.
Now, West Ham will look to appoint a CEO as quickly as possible to take over many of the responsibilities that Brady oversaw. What seems unlikely at this point, is that this will be the ownership turning point most Hammers fans want.
Sullivan and Kretinsky to increase West Ham shares
According to multiple sources, West Ham’s majority shareholders, David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky are expected to increase their stakes in the club. The pair have deals lined up to to buy a portion of the family of David Gold’s 25.1% stake.
There were some rumours that Sullivan, now his long-term ally Brady has left the club, would be forced to dissolve some of his power over the club. Now it is reported that Sullivan has no plans to do such a thing.
There has been a battle for influence over West Ham since Gold’s death in 2023, with Brady helping to safe guard Sullivan’s interest. The Gold family have looked at selling their stake to an external party, one that would have seen Sullivan pushed towards the exit, but that has not materialized with the family now likely to sell some of their stake to the Hammers current owners.
Kretinsky, who has previously stated he has no interest in a full takeover of the club, has long been after a greater say in the day-to-day working of the club, and will now get it. Sullivan, who currently owns a 37.7% stake compared to Kretinsky’s 27% stake, has been facing internal opposition on decisions throughout the last couple of seasons.
Now, with Kretinsky gaining more power and Sullivan losing his ally, the 77-year-old will have to bend on more decisions going forward and yet his departure remains unlikely.
With that, it means that the current ownership of West Ham will not change, bur Kretinsky is about to become significantly more influential in a period of time where the Hammers require significant change, on and off the field.
