Ex-PL club CEO: Sullivan & Kretinsky in behind-the-scenes West Ham battle after Brady exit
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(Credit: Imago/Getty Images) West Ham: David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky in behind-the-scenes battle after Karren Brady exit Thu 23 April 2026 17:00, UK West Ham United chairman David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky are both locked in a dispute over who controls football decisions at the club.That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, after Karren Brady stepped down from her role at the London Stadium.Brady stepped down from her position as vice-chair after 16 years in the role, and was responsible for the club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium.The 57-year-old’s departure means Kretinsky is now West Ham’s vice-chair and could buy a portion of the Gold family’s 25.1% stake in the club to match Sullivan’s shareholding.Kretinsky currently owns a 27% stake, whilst Sullivan is West Ham’s largest shareholder with a 38.8% stake in the club. 💰West Ham United Finance Update💰 Inside the transfer budget, PSR compliance, ownership investment, and the latest London Stadium commercial news. VISIT THE WEST HAM FINANCE HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Expert has heard ‘rumours’ at West Ham after Karren Brady’s departureEverton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – said Brady’s departure could have been down to further changes behind-the-scenes at West Ham.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks either Sullivan or Kretinsky will be next to step down if they can not agree on key decisions.Total Revenue£228mCommercial Revenue£56mNet Debt£192mPre-Tax Loss£104mWest Ham United’s 2024-25 financial accounts.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I was a little bit surprised in the timing of Brady’s departure.
Karren, since she’s been in football, and I’ve been dealing with her since her time at Birmingham City, she is what I would call Marmite. I’ve really not enjoyed dealing with her when I’ve had to on a number of issues.
“It may not be a done deal yet, as I understand it, because there is still a real debate there between the two of them as to who’s going to control football decisions, and are they going to have to be jointly agreed or not.“Kretinsky’s got some real question marks about how the football side’s been handled by some of them. It’s not a happy ship if you’ve got two competing owners like that, and it would probably have to be that one of them would have to go.”Internal issues need to be resolved as transfer window approachesWith the summer transfer window fast approaching, Sullivan and Kretinsky will be forced to make big decisions in the market.The Hammers are expected to be busy this summer, and player sales will need to happen amid their financial position.Wyness told Football Insider that West Ham will have to stick with their agent-led recruitment model as the club can not afford to build a young squad for the future, or risk another season fighting relegation on the pitch.Sullivan and Kretinsky are expected to have to put more money into the club to help them move forward, whilst fans continue to protest at their ownership, and call for fresh investment. ⚒️ Don’t Miss a Beat: Your West Ham Insider Access Get the full story from the London Stadium and Rush Green with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from East London.