Michail Antonio has spoken out about David Sullivan after a recent claim he will leave West Ham amid continued protests from fans.
As far as popularity stakes go at West Ham, you couldn’t get two more opposing figures than Michail Antonio and David Sullivan.
A larger than life character and West Ham’s leading Premier League goalscorer, Antonio’s goals, 10 years of stellar service and celebrations have made him a cult hero, if not a legend, in east London.
Meanwhile Sullivan sits at the other end of the spectrum having become a figure of hate for many Hammers supporters who have been protesting for him to sell up and leave the club.
Particularly in the wake of club record £104m losses posted in the club’s latest accounts at the end of last month.
Antonio praises Sullivan after claims he could sell up at West Ham
That has been followed by claims from a journalist that Sullivan is preparing to walk away from West Ham, especially if vice-chair Karren Brady leaves.
Brady has also confirmed Sullivan will be replaced as West Ham’s de facto director of football.
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Michail Antonio during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham FC at London Stadium
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
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The Hammers chief does have the respect of Antonio, though.
The Jamaican has secured a move to Qatar after being released by the Irons last summer.
Now Antonio has spoken out in support of Sullivan after it was claimed he too could be leaving West Ham.
David Sullivan during a West Ham game.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Opening up on all things West Ham in an interview with talkSPORT, Antonio says he bears no ill feeling towards Sullivan, saying he was a good owner.
“I love the club and how I was treated there for the last 10 years,” Antonio said.
“One of the people I’ve always thanked is Dave Sullivan for how he’s treated me over the years.
“I have no resentment to him.”
However, one man he does have resentment for is Graham Potter.
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David Sullivan takes in a West Ham match from the directors' box
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Antonio claims Potter’s insecurity destroyed West Ham’s culture and blamed the former Hammers manager for the predicament the club finds itself in currently.
Antonio even went as far as to say he wished ‘failing’ Potter had been sacked sooner, suggesting the club would have given him a new deal had that been the case.
Potter was a symptom of West Ham’s issues rather than a root cause in the eyes of many fans, though.
After all he did not appoint himself to the position of West Ham manager.
Therefore the owners, and Sullivan as the majority stakeholder, must take the ultimate blame for the club’s failings.
Michail Antonio hugs the Europa Conference League trophy after helping West Ham to their first major silverware in 43 years
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Speculation continues to swirl over whether Sullivan and co will sell up this summer.
A top finance expert has warned West Ham need new owners quickly after record failings.
Especially as further big losses will be posted in the club’s next accounts to add to the £104m deficit the Hammers have recently filed.
It has also been claimed West Ham will sell four stars worth £200m for just £100m if relegated.
Sullivan and the Hammers board point to the fact the club has been in the Premier League for 14 consecutive years as a major achievement along with winning the only major trophy of the last 46 years.
What is most damning, though, is the fact West Ham were in £100m of debt when Sullivan and co arrived in 2010 and now, 16 years on, the club is even worse off financially.
That is despite a sustained period of relative success under David Moyes – which included a trophy, a record Premier League points total, three consecutive seasons in Europe and the £105m pure profit sale of Declan Rice.
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