West Ham co-owner issues strongly-worded statement as Amanda Staveley agrees stake purchase

Daniel Kretinsky has hinted towards instability at West Ham United in response to Amanda Staveley agreeing to purchase a minority stake.

In a statement, the daughter of the late David Gold confirmed that the former co-owner’s shares will be sold to a Staveley-led consortium.

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The ex-Newcastle United chief is set to purchase the 25.1 per cent stake currently owned by Vanessa Gold on behalf of the Family Trust.

“I have now reached an ​agreement to sell my family’s shareholding to a consortium of ⁠PCP Capital Partners, led by Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, in ​partnership with Ashland Forest Capital Partners,” she said.

“This sale remains subject to a pre-emption process, under which existing shareholders have the option to buy the shares instead.

“While the process has not yet concluded, ​I wanted to be open with our fans about where things ​stand and my intentions.”

West Ham confirmed this later on Saturday, saying: “West Ham United can confirm it is aware of the announcement from Joint-Chair Vanessa Gold that she has reached a provisional agreement to sell her shares to a consortium of PCP Capital Partners, led by Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, in partnership with Ashland Forest Capital Partners.

“The proposed transaction will now be subject to a pre-emption rights process. This provides all existing shareholders with the opportunity to acquire their proportional percentage of shares in round one, and any remaining shares in round two. This process will take approximately two months and, until it is completed, nothing will change regarding the ownership structure of the Club.

“West Ham United would like to assure supporters that the day-to-day running of the football club is in no way affected by this situation. Preparations for the new season continue to take shape with diligence and focus, and we thank all fans for their continued loyal backing at this time.

“The Club will be making no further comment while the pre-emption process runs its course.”

Last month, the Gold family agreed to sell a 16 per cent stake to Kretinsky after David Sullivan stepped down as the club chairman.

The Czech billionaire would have seen his overall stake rise from 27 to 43 per cent, making him the majority owner at West Ham.

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However, the Premier League club’s ownership has now been thrown into doubt amid the agreement with Staveley.

In a statement of his own, Kretinsky said that as a current stakeholder at West Ham, he will look to fight off the outside interest.

“The agreement we had reached with the Gold family in June provided stability for the club at a crucial time. Today’s announcement does the opposite,” Kretinsky said.

“We will always act in the best interests of West Ham United and are reviewing all of our options, including exercising our pre-emption rights in full.”

Kretinsky, whose stake is named under 1890s holdings, has been at the club since November 2021.

talkSPORT understands he pushed for Nuno Espirito Santo to stay as head coach after their relegation to the Championship.

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Espirito Santo was widely expected to leave, and Sullivan was inclined to make a change, but the Portuguese remains in charge.

Kretinsky also wanted captain Jarrod Bowen to stay and lead their promotion fight in the new season, and the winger has signed a revised contract until 2030.