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West Ham United have announced this morning that Daniel Křetínský has become the majority shareholder of West Ham after concluding a deal with the Gold family.

Daniel Křetínský will now hold a majority share worth 43%, but don’t expect that to be the last of it…

“As such, we have reached agreement on the key terms of a share purchase transaction between the Gold family and 1890 Holdings, which, subject to other Shareholders’ pre-emption rights and necessary approvals, would make 1890 Holdings (part of the broader group EP) the largest Shareholder in West Ham with an approximately 43% stake. As the largest Shareholder, group EP will be able to provide the additional financing the Club needs.

“We expect to finalise this transaction in the next couple of weeks. Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.

“Alongside Daniel Křetínský and Vanessa Gold, the other Shareholders, namely Tripp Smith, Daniel Harris and Terry Brown, are fully aligned on this strategy and stabilising the Club.

“We are taking these steps because West Ham United needs to be truly united at this moment in its history. We believe that a strong coalition – of fans, players, management and the Board – is essential to securing the bright future this Club deserves. We are absolutely committed to playing our part.”

West Ham have also clarified that they were cued up on the Sullivan Situation, claiming that “the full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations against David Sullivan until approximately a month ago, when he informed us that certain allegations against him may be published. However, the full details of the allegations, which Mr Sullivan denies, only became apparent when they were made public on Monday (8 June). In addition, as communicated by West Ham United, the Board representatives of Shareholders other than Mr Sullivan were only made aware this week of the safeguarding measures that have been in place since 2023.”

A major share of 43% is step one to allowing the Hammers the ability to take a step in the right direction - however, Daniel Křetínský will now propose putting in £90M, the maximum amount, to help the debts that the club are currently suffering from, placing David Sullivan in a tricky position.

If David Sullivan decides to pass on his share of the £90M, which would be around the £35M mark, it means that, under corporate law, any unbought shares are offered to the remaining owners. Křetínský can simply step up and buy Sullivan’s unpurchased shares himself.

Daniel Křetínský having a majority share is what Hammers fans have been crying out for, but expect his now 43% stake to get bigger in just a matter of a short time.

West Ham United have just released their retention list for the 2025/26 season, sparking a question or two. The club have officially confirmed that Adama Traore and Lukasz Fabianski will depart once their respective contracts are up on 30th June.

The club have also announced the development players that will be departing, those being Michael Forbes, Junior Robinson, Tyron Akpata, Daniel Rigge, David Chigwada and Tom Wooster.

Whilst only two senior players have departed, it raises the question whether West Ham will be keeping Callum Wilson, who only had a one-year deal in place wiyh the Englishman at the beginning of the season, that of which would suggest the Englishman has now extended his contract and will remain with the Hammers in the Championship, or, he has renewed, providing the Hammers to get an extra couple million through a transfer fee… a gentlemans agreement to leave perhaps.

Whilst West Ham have announced who will be departing, other clubs have already begun to do so as well, and the club will be keeping a keen eye on those who are departing as we will look to explore the freebie market in the upcoming season.

With that said, West Ham are looking to nail down the signing of Dael Fry, a 28-year-old ex-Middlesbrough player who is leaving on a free at the end of the season. The Englishman played 34 matches last season, bringing required experience for Nuno’s side in the Championship.

West Ham will continue to explore free agent signings, perhaps looking to rival Wolves, who have already confirmed both Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez.

Much more work to be done.

First, the end of an era, the next follows overwhelming amounts of news for Hammers fans - to see such celebrations surround a fanbase ultimately summarises Sullivan’s 16-year tenure at the club, a gloomy bit of nothing but misery and greed optimised the past, and whilst the first step has been taken, the second isn’t too far from surfacing.

Whilst David Sullivan officially announced his departure from West Ham, he is an owner, stepping down was the furthest impact that could’ve been made, bar him actually selling his shares, of which many speculated would then be run by Dave and Jack, both his sons… however, in our dire moments, news has come to fruition that the pair will NOT join the West Ham board as they would like to focus on their own businesses.

Freedom at last! Something the Hammers fans have hoped for and bellowed out at the London Stadium for over a decade.

Subsequently, given that neither of Sullivan’s sons is truly interested in West Ham, his stake in West Ham United, 38.8%, is up for sale, and the Czech Sphinx, Daniel Kretinsky, is in motion to take over and officially hold a majority stake in the club.

Despite tending to operate on the low, Daniel Kretinsky has briefly spoken out in response to West Ham

“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. I see it as a duty getting us promoted”

Currently, West Ham United tick all of the boxes of Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech Sphinx has inherited his name due to buying businesses and entering industries at ‘unpopular times’, moments of which many are panic selling his is buying. The crisis that West Ham is in, as well as the recent news about David Sullivan, will likely have lowered his prices, providing an opportunity to buy.

It would be a shock not to see Daniel Kretinsky hold a majority share by the end of this summer.

On another note, many Hammers fans might want to keep a keen eye on the Beeb tonight, where at 20:00, a Panorama is officially being released about David Sullivan. This Panorama was set to be released a few weeks ago but it was pushed back, however, all is now confirmed to broadcast.

As the bells chime, the news has been revealed.

David Sullivan has officially stepped down from West Ham United with immediate effect.

The club have revealed a statement this early afternoon as follows:

"West Ham United can confirm that Joint-Chair David Sullivan has stepped down from his position with immediate effect.

Mr Sullivan has also resigned as a director of both WH Holding Limited and West Ham United Football Club, having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations. It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations.

Through his own legal representatives Mr Sullivan denies any illegal conduct and has taken the decision to step down in order to avoid disruption to the Club while he addresses the matter privately.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Karim Virani, reporting into the current Board of Directors, will continue to be responsible for leading the Club’s day-to-day operations. The Club will provide an update on the future structure of the Board of Directors in due course, but will make no further comment at this time."

The final straw? The beginning of the end? The unknown.

West Ham's era in the Championship has taken an all-mighty turn; the effect of stepping down is the first of many tumbling stones in this saga, and in the coming weeks, more and more information will unfold, but in the meantime, after years and years of West Ham fans protesting and with a brutal final day, the significant step has finally been taken.

The accusations against David Sullivan have picked up speed to a point where the club has released this statement, and David Sullivan has made this decision - all of the signs indicate words have finally become more than just an expression.

Only time will now tell.

David Sullivan's Response

“I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published.

“The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims.

“I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.

“I have not been provided with any proper explanation as to how these individuals or their claims were independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication. I believe that the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.

“None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football; West Ham United has been one of the greatest passions and privileges of my life. I care deeply about the club, its supporters, its players, its staff, and its future. At what is already a challenging and important time for the club, I refuse to allow personal matters concerning me to become an unnecessary distraction or a source of instability.

“Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.

“This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.

“I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations. I have officially engaged my legal team and we are preparing to issue legal proceedings in respect of each and every false complaint that has been made against me. I will be seeking full redress, legally and publicly, on every single front.

“As I depart, I want to thank everyone connected with West Ham United, past and present, for the loyalty, friendship, memories and European adventures and successes that I will carry with me forever. West Ham United will always remain close to my heart, and I have total confidence that the Board of Directors and interim Chief Executive Officer Karim Virani will do everything they can to take the club forward in the right direction. I wish everyone connected with the club every success in the future.

“I will not be making further public comment at this stage, but I reserve all legal rights available to me in relation to any false or defamatory allegations.”