Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský is set to significantly increase his influence in the London football club West Ham United. According to the Reuters news agency, he is increasing his stake to approximately 43 percent, which would make him the largest shareholder in the club. The transaction is expected to be carried out through the company 1890 Holdings, which is part of his EP Group, and follows Křetínský's previous stake of 27 percent acquired in 2021.

The agreement comes at a particularly sensitive time. The current co-chairman of the club, David Sullivan, has resigned following the publication of serious allegations of sexually exploitative behavior, which British media report he denies. Reuters reports that Křetínský is increasing his stake after an agreement with Vanessa Gold, a member of the family of the late co-owner, David Gold. The completion of the transaction is expected in the coming weeks.

Křetínský is thus becoming a key figure at West Ham. The Financial Times reported that his stake is set to increase from 27 to 43 percent, while the Gold family's stake is expected to decrease from 25.1 percent to just over 9 percent. Sullivan is expected to remain the second-largest shareholder with a stake of 38.8 percent. It is important to note that this is not a majority stake of over 50 percent, but rather the position of the largest individual shareholder.

For West Ham, the change in ownership structure is crucial, even from a sporting perspective. The club is going through a difficult period after being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. According to Reuters, the management still intends to keep manager Nuno Espírito Santo, and the goal is a quick return to the English elite. Křetínský and Gold emphasized in a joint statement the need for stability, financial support, and the retention of key players.

Křetínský is well-known in the British business environment, not only for his involvement with West Ham. In recent years, he has significantly strengthened his position in various sectors, including Royal Mail and the retail chain Sainsbury's. In the Czech Republic, he is primarily associated with the football club Sparta Prague. His growing influence at West Ham is therefore being closely watched not only by fans of the London club, but also by the Czech sports and business community.

gnews.cz - GH