Amanda Staveley release statement after failed attempt to repeat Newcastle United move
Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley has failed to invest in West Ham United.
Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley has expressed her disappointment after failing to acquire a stake in West Ham United.
In July, a consortium headed up by Staveley reached an agreement to buy Vanessa Gold’s 25.1% stake in the Hammers, only for the deal to be gazumped by existing shareholders increasing their respective stakes.
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham’s largest shareholder after increasing his stake from 27% to 46%, while David Sullivan will raise his from 38.8% to 40%. Tripp Smith, the club’s third-largest shareholder, has also increased his stake from 8% to 11%.
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The developments came after West Ham’s existing shareholders activated a clause giving them the right of first refusal on any stake in the club put up for sale, ultimately preventing Staveley from securing a seat at the table.
Amanda Staveley releases statement after failed West Ham bid
In a statement released, Staveley’s PCP Partners said: “We are obviously disappointed not to have been successful in our bid to acquire the 25% shareholding in West Ham United.
“For transparency our original offer was for both David Sullivan’s 38.8% stake and Vanessa Gold’s 25.1% stake in the club.
“There was always the potential that they other shareholders would take up their rights under the shareholders agreement which is what they have elected to do.
“From the outset, we and our global investment partners approached this opportunity with enormous respect for West Ham, its history, identity and most importantly loyal and committed supporters.
“We saw real potential to make a positive difference, rejuvenate the club and help West Ham compete consistently at the highest level of English football.
“Mehrdad ( ) and I along with our partners retain the greatest respect for the West Ham community who supported us both in the stands and online in recent weeks.
“We will continue to follow this process closely. Our ambitions for the club remain and we would be open to the opportunity to work constructively with the existing shareholders in the future subject to use not taking up other opportunities that have been present to our consortium in the week of events over the past week.”
Amanda Staveley eyes return to football
Staveley has made no secret of her desire to return to football following their exit from Newcastle two years ago.
Staveley’s PCP Partners helped broker the £305million PIF-led takeover of the Magpies in October 2021, initially taking a 10% stake in the football club before being put in charge of its day-to-day running.
Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodousi, played a key role in accelerating the club’s progress on and off the pitch post-takeover before stepping down in July 2024 after their remaining shares were acquired by PIF and RB Sports & Media at a 85%/ 15% split.
“We’ve looked at a lot of clubs, including Tottenham, but we are looking at clubs around the Premier League and the UK, Europe,” Staveley said in June. “We really want to be buying, going in and investing into a club again very soon.”
When asked about West Ham specifically, Staveley said: “Maybe. You don’t know. I think both my husband and I were attracted to building a business where we can take a brand that isn’t doing so well, a club that isn’t performing well, get it on the right road, and bring that forward.
“There are very few clubs (where that can) work. If you want to tick every box, there’s actually very few clubs that allow that.”