West Ham United fans thought they had seen the last of David Sullivan when he stood down as chairman earlier this year. However, Sullivan remained a major shareholder in the club. He currently owns 38.8%, with Daniel Kretinsky owning 43%.
Kretinsky was thought to be the saviour of West Ham. However, many fans are understandably suspicious of the silent owner. A lot of supporters wanted Amanda Stavely and her consortium to get a stake in West Ham. However, that move did not come to fruition.
Staveley had worked wonders at Newcastle United. She helped the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia take over the club from the unpopular Mike Ashley. Staveley was the public face of the new regime at the Magpies. They turned the club from being threatened with relegation to playing in the Champions League and winning the EFL Cup.
When Staveley left Newcastle, things started to unravel. Eddie Howe soon departed too, and top players such as Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimarães were sold. Staveley had been present at the London Stadium in her bid to become an owner.
Many fans were frustrated that this did not happen, especially as she reportedly had ambitions of West Ham owning the London Stadium. This would have given West Ham the chance to make the stadium they currently rent feel like home. There would have been scope to turn the ground that was built for the 2012 Olympic Games into a proper football stadium.
Change is still needed in the West Ham hierachy
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has recently opened the door to West Ham buying the stadium. However, the deal appears too complicated, and there is no sign that the current owners would entertain trying to do so.
Many West Ham fans will never forgive Sullivan, the late David Gold, and Karen Brady for taking them from Upton Park to the London Stadium. Supporters feel that they were sold a dream and delivered a nightmare. Gold passed away, with his shares going to his daughter, Vanessa. Brady left her role as vice-chair earlier this year.
Many fans thought that as a result of the BBC's Panorama documentary, Sullivan would be forced to sell his shares. However, he is attempting to clear his name. The Telegraph has reported that "Sullivan is suing the BBC for £150m over accusations of sexual misconduct made against him in a Panorama documentary."
We are probably in for a lengthy legal battle, which is another distraction from the football. So far, this season has been positive; West Ham are second in the Championship, and there is optimism about promotion back to the Premier League.
Fans are desperate to see Sullivan out of West Ham. However, he is not going to go quietly. Time will tell what the result of Sullivan's attempts to clear his name will be. However, he is already guilty in the court of public opinion.
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