The re-emergence of Amanda Staveley as a potential revolutionary at West Ham United was a reminder of a fan banner spotted at St James’ Park during the post-Mike Ashley euphoria which swept Newcastle United almost five years ago: “Until Amanda I was never happy.”
But West Ham fans may need to wait a while before the joy returns – as Staveley, the friendly face of the global corporatism which is now embedded within the day-to-day life of Britain’s leading football clubs, is front and centre of a new twist in the Hammers’ tale.
Adapting to the Championship this season, the club’s attempts for a fuss-free, brief stay in the second tier is overshadowed by boardroom chicanery. It should spell and end to the perceived managed decline largely overseen by David Sullivan and the now departed Karren Brady.
Newcastle fans with a Staveley banner in 2022 (Photo: Getty)But shareholder Daniel Kretinsky’s own interests – and a recent move he has made – mean a battle is brewing. And the impasse is hampering the Hammers’ plans for a swift return to the Premier League.
The obstacles in Staveley’s way
As it stands, PCP, Staveley’s company, needs to draft in wealthier partners, with Staveley’s personal holding estimated at around £150m, and that is dwarfed by key West Ham shareholder Kretinsky – who is opposed to this fresh power play.
Kretinsky’s input appears crucial. Vanessa Gold may have agreed to sell her 25.1 per cent stake to PCP, but after Sullivan resigned as chairman in the wake of ongoing sexual misconduct allegations, and vice-chair Brady departed in April, Kretinsky is increasingly central to the developments.
He will therefore have a say on whether or not Staveley is firstly, successful with the bid, and secondly, the material impact she and her investors can make.
That Sullivan remains the Hammers’ largest shareholder is another significant roadblock.
However, Staveley’s scent of an opportunity, essentially to re-establish a labouring “brand” – for West Ham in 2026, see Newcastle previously – is widely admired.
The move that could thwart Staveley’s bid
Club co-chair Kretinsky is a multi-billionaire. Under West Ham’s option of pre-emption rights, he has utilised the right of first refusal for existing shareholders.
The Czech has just sold 2 per cent of his stake in the club to compatriot Jakub Havrlant in a move which could already thwart Staveley’s bid. By keeping his shareholding to below the 50 per cent threshold, Kretinsky retains power without being obliged to make an offer for the remainder of the club.
Therefore, even with the successful acquisition of Gold’s 25 per cent shareholding, Staveley’s ambitions are limited. Of course, a key further step here is persuading Sullivan – who holds 38.8 per cent of club shares – to sell up, a pursuit which is proving extremely taxing.
David Sullivan has been told to stay away from West Ham’s home games (Photo: Getty)At present, Staveley can suggest how PCP and Ashfield can help “flip” the club for long-term sustainability. Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, is open to talks over the future of the London Stadium, which can be a substantial driver for financial growth if West Ham pave the way for outright ownership.
Opportunities to develop the swathes of land around the arena exist in Stratford – virtually a city-within-a-city – but Staveley may also have to account for opposition to any major changes from environmental groups, keen to preserve the 2012 Olympic legacy of planting diverse wildlife habitats and the creation of a vast urban park.
Any such obstacles, if overcome, can help reimagine the stadium itself, long criticised for its lack of intense atmosphere.
That alone would be a massive initial hit for West Ham’s supporters and an excellent public sweetener for Staveley. Her proven communication skills and easy grace from her spell at Newcastle would please fans, so often frustrated at the lack of pizazz by Sullivan and Kretinsky.
No Saudi link boosts Staveley
Furthermore, the absence of a Saudi link to Staveley’s proposed involvement also minimises any negative publicity over human rights issues which stalked her early months at Newcastle.
Amid the uncertainty, the Hammers’ player trading has been affected. Players such as Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts have left for a combined £150m, and just one player, Venezuelan winger Keiber Lamadrid, has arrived.
While Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is strongly linked for a £25m switch to east London, recruitment remains slow, with West Ham kicking off their Championship campaign on 16 August.
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If Staveley’s executive move is successful, she will have presumably learned from negative aspects of her experience on Tyneside.
A main one being the enforced sale of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35m to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. Two years later, the England international has been sold by Forest to Manchester City for £116m.
That aside, Newcastle fans, broadly speaking, lauded Staveley for her vision, something which they claim the club lacks since her departure in July 2024. Staveley’s ability to see a grander canvas around West Ham may excite supporters desperate for uplifting news, but there is still much for her to overcome.
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