West Ham United: Fan view on Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s new 27% stake in the club

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has bought a 27% stake in West Ham United, putting around £150 million investment into the Premier League high-flyers.

West Ham have been in immense form this season, and find themselves currently sat third in the Premier League.

David Moyes has rightfully earned high praise for getting his side playing the way they, and the east London club took another major scalp on Sunday as they dispatched fellow high-flyers Liverpool 3-2 at the London Stadium.

In recent history, West Ham fans’ relationship has at times been strained with the owners, David Gold and David Sullivan.

This was shown in 2020 when the club sold prospect Grady Diangana to West Brom for £18 million, with club captain Mark Noble publicly condemning the owners for the sale.

The most infamous protest against the owners was in March 2018, when furious fans made the owners retreat as they almost breached where they were sat, during a 3-0 home loss to Burnley.

The new investor, who now owns a 27% stake in the club, is Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who also owns Sparta Prague in his native country.

Here’s what fans think of the takeover...

West Ham fan and season ticket holder Anthony Edwards gives us an insight on what fans think of the new Czech investor.

When asked on the initial news of events today?

“The investment and stake bought in the club is fantastic news for us fans.

“The atmosphere at the club has been brilliant this season but it will undoubtedly get better now with extra investment.”

West Ham have bought an abundance of talent from Czech Republic, players such as Vladimir Coufal, Thomas Soucek and Alex Kral have all made good impacts at West Ham, most notably Soucek. Now with the heightened influence, will fans expect more Czech talent to come to East London?

“I hope we get some talent from Sparta (Prague) like (Adam) Hlozek.”

Hlozek is only 19-years-old but has made 84 appearances and scored 29 goals for Sparta, and is widely considered a generational talent. He has previously been linked with Barcelona and West Ham.

As mentioned the relationship between the owners and fans has been stretched in the past, but how do they feel about them after the wonderful start they’ve had?

“The current owners have angered me in the past but now the footballing side is left to Moyes its better, but I still want them to go.”

The new investor has started off buying 27% in the club, but would West Ham fans like him to have a bigger influence?

“I would like to have him takeover fully, but only if it doesn’t jeopardise a European spot because of the rule about owning two clubs.

“But overall fantastic news for West Ham to carry on our upwards climb.”