Kieran Maguire: Kretinsky can solve ‘deep-rooted’ West Ham problem as talks demanded
Daniel Kretinsky’s arrival at West Ham could mark the start of a new era – and he has an opportunity to lay the club’s old demons to rest.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the schism between fans and board at the London Stadium.
Tensions have cooled over the last one-and-a-half seasons, with David Moyes delivering a record-setting 6th-place Premier League finish last term.
But Hammers United, one of the club’s most prominent supporters’ trusts, are unhappy with longer-term issues around fan engagement.
As relayed by Hammers News last Friday (28 January), they have called for talks with new co-owner Kretinsky to address issues off the pitch.
The Czech billionaire bought a 27 per cent stake in the Irons in November last year and has the option for a full takeover after March 2023.
Maguire insists that Kretinsky can help heal old wounds in East London relating to the controversial stadium move in 2016.
“There are some deep-rooted problems in terms of relationship and engagement,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Certainly, with having Kretinsky in place, it gives the club the opportunity to say there is a new regime and take a different approach.
“I know some of the guys at Hammers United and they are very passionate fans.
“They feel the way the move to the new stadium was sold hasn’t materialised, in terms of being competitive at the top of the Premier League.
“There was a huge affection for the Boleyn Ground but that does not extend to the London Stadium. It is tolerated rather than loved.”
David Sullivan is the Irons’ biggest individual shareholder with 39 per cent, while David Gold now owns around 25 per cent.
The club posted a net loss of £26.9million for the 2020-21 financial year.
In other news, pundit suggests Declan Rice’s West Ham exit “inevitable” after Tuesday update.