Rumours continue to swirl that Karren Brady will soon resign from her executive role as West Ham United vice-chair.
Whether this would mean her complete departure from the club remains doubtful, particularly given her small shareholding in the Hammers. But Brady stepping aside is really only half the story — the bigger question is who replaces her and what kind of club West Ham want to become.
The Hammers desperately need a chief executive with football experience — someone capable of implementing genuine structure and long-term planning. The lack of infrastructure behind the scenes has been one of the club’s biggest weaknesses for years, and Brady’s potential exit could represent a pivotal moment.
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A Sacrificial Lamb?
The concern, however, is that Brady’s departure could be little more than symbolic — a sacrificial lamb to ease fan pressure while David Sullivan retains full control of the club’s football operations.
If Sullivan were to step back from day-to-day involvement, allowing a qualified football executive to oversee recruitment, scouting, and appointments, then West Ham would finally be taking a step forward. But if the chairman remains in charge of transfers and strategy, has anything really changed?
Any replacement would risk becoming a figurehead with tied hands — unable to make the sweeping changes the club so desperately needs.
So while Brady leaving might feel like a victory for frustrated supporters, it could still amount to little more than a token gesture. A battle won, perhaps, but the real war — for the identity and soul of West Ham United — would still lie ahead