Executive Chairman of West Ham United, Eggert Magnusson, is stepping down from his position but will be maintaining his ties with the UK football team. Icelandic owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, will be filling Magnusson’s shoes, taking over more of the daily activities related to managing the club.
Magnusson is keen to stay involved and plans to hold onto his stake in the club. “I think it is now important to broaden the management team so that we can deliver the bright future that is opening up for the club,” he said.
Gudmundsson, who has big plans for the club, will also continue serving as chairman of the club’s board. “I am so proud of what we have achieved since becoming involved with the club and I am grateful for Eggert Magnusson’s contribution to West Ham throughout this time,” he said.
Gudmundsson currently owns more than 90 per cent of West Ham. In addition, he is the chairman of Landsbanki bank. After being charged with fraud in Iceland, Gudmundsson spent several years in Russia.
Thor Kristjansson, Gudmundsson’s aide, will now move into the position of vice-chairman of West Ham United Holding and executive vice-chairman of the football club. The club’s chief executive Scott Duxbury will remain in his position. There is some speculation that the directorship of the club will be offered to Mike Lee, who has been advising Magnusson on public relations over the past year.
While the management team may be slightly changing, the club has definitively declared that football matters will remain under the control of Alan Curbishley and the coaching staff.
West Ham are only three points behind the premiership leaders, Arsenal, and are currently in sixth position.