Daniel Kretinsky’s first major West Ham move could transform the London Stadium | OneFootball

Daniel Kretinsky has drawn up plans for the London Stadium following his new ownership agreement

West Ham confirmed a change in the ownership structure following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Hammers finished 18th in the top flight table, two points behind rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 17th.

Nuno Espírito Santo will be hoping to guide the club to promotion from the Championship at the first attempt next season.

And it could be a busy summer following Daniel Kretinsky’s deal to become the new majority shareholder at the London outfit.

The Czech businessman already owned a stake in the club, but has agreed a deal to buy shares from the Gold family, which will increase his ownership to roughly 43 per cent.

This could have a major impact behind the scenes of the London Stadium, where plans are already being drawn up for the Irons’ future.

Daniel Kretinsky’s plans for the London Stadium

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It has been reported by Claret & Hugh that Kretinsky is planning to make major changes to the London Stadium following his agreement to become the majority shareholder.

The Hammers moved into the stadium used to host the London 2012 Olympics following the 2015/16 campaign.

However, it has proven a divisive new home for the club, with many supporters criticising the big running track that separates spectators from the pitch.

But it’s understood that Kretinsky is planning to remove the running track and move the seats forward in a bid to improve the matchday going experience for fans.

West Ham are also hoping to invest in other infrastructure, such as the training ground, with plans for new facilities being drawn up after their relegation to the Championship.

While these plans are all still in their early stages, fans will be pleased to see some movement made towards these changes.

However, West Ham do not own the stadium, as they signed a 99-year lease in 2013 before moving into the ground in 2016.

The stadium remains publicly owned, which could provide stumbling blocks that could delay, or even prevent, Kretinsky’s plans from coming to fruition.

The London Stadium has been used for various other events over the last decade, including the 2017 World Athletic Championship, as well as a number of concerts.

With plans still in the early phases, it is also unclear what the cost of any potential development of the stadium would be.

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London Stadium development would be very welcome from West Ham fans

The view at the London Stadium has received a lot of criticism from West Ham fans over the years, as well as neutral and away supporters, so these changes would be very welcome.

There are sure to be complications involved in the process, however, given the nature of the ownership of the ground.

Kretinsky’s plans are ambitious, and it’s a positive sign that he wants to invest in the club’s infrastructure, but this could be a drawn-out process that takes quite some time.

If the changes can come to fruition, then it will go a long way to really establishing the London Stadium as West Ham’s proper home, given some fans are still not pleased with the move after all this time.