West Ham: Daniel Kretinsky sells stake to boost plans to take control
West Ham co-chair Daniel Kretinsky has sold a small stake in the club to Jakub Havrlant, a move intended to consolidate his control and potentially block a takeover bid by Amanda Staveley. The transaction is subject to pre-emption rights and could take months to resolve.
Why it matters
Ownership disputes in major football clubs significantly impact team management, investment strategies, and long-term stability.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, West Ham co-chair Daniel Kretinsky (right)
Chief football news reporter Published 4 August 2026 West Ham co-chair Daniel Kretinsky has sold just over 2% of his stake in the club to Czech businessman Jakub Havrlant in a move that could scupper Amanda Staveley's own attempts to buy into the Championship outfit.
On Saturday, Vanessa Gold - West Ham's other co-chair and daughter of former co-owner David - confirmed her family's plans to sell its shares in the club to a consortium headed by ex-Newcastle United co-owner Staveley.
However, the deal was subject to West Ham's long-standing pre-emption rights clause, which give existing shareholders first refusal on available shares and, in this case, matching Staveley's offer.
Royal Mail owner Kretinsky bought 27% of West Ham in 2021.
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