The real thing?

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Monday, 3rd September 2007

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has insisted that West Ham United can one day become Premier League champions.

The Icelandic board member - who owns 95% of the club - revelaed in an interview with The Observer that his aim is for the Hammers to tatke the title for the first time in their history - although he accepts that a much more urgent priority is to bring European football back to the Boleyn.

"I believe we can become one of the top English clubs, and in Europe, again," he told the Observer's Jamie Jackson. "We want Champions League football and believe we can win the Premier League in time. Why not?

"Of course we do not think it will happen tomorrow, it will take some years. But definitely we are heading there. And I think we now have all that's needed for that."

Gudmundsson also revealed that his interest in West Ham was initiated by Eggert Magnusson, the public face of the new regime who himself has a 5% stake in the club.

"It all came through Landsbanki in London. I was considering this investment opportunity - obviously I had to think how to run it, who would be responsible for the operation. Then I remembered my conversation with Eggert and I called him.

"Eggert is in the forefront, managing the whole thing, but we can't let him have all the attention. I'm more silent behind him.' Why? 'I'm occupied with all my businesses so we discuss things on the phone. Think of Eggert as the Coca-Cola sign!'

"I think it's more interesting to listen to both of us. We're in this together. And we're going to make it together. We have very similar views, similar ideas. This is how West Ham came about.

"We met last year and were discussing life. Eggert told me perhaps he would be leaving Uefa and he was wondering what to take up next. And when West Ham came on the table I thought perhaps it could fit into Eggert's way of thinking. That's how it started."

Gudmundsson also revealed that since taking control of the Irons he had been brushing up on his Hammers history.

"I am aware of the greatest moments in the club's history over the last 40 years," he added. "I know how it's said that West Ham won the World Cup for England in 1966 because of the goals from Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst, and the immense contribution from Bobby Moore. And I have also met Billy Bonds, who was captain when the club won the FA Cup."

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