LONDON (AFP) - Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes announced Wednesday he had bid for West Ham following their recent relegation from the English Premier League.
"For all you West Ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept," Fernandes, the owner of the AirAsia airline and Formula
One's Team Lotus, said on his Twitter page.
Fernandes made his announcement on the same day as the London club's current owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, unveiled Sam Allardyce as the new Hammers boss after they sacked Avram Grant barely an hour following relegation from the top tier of English football.
A lifelong fan of the east London club, Fernandes first expressed an interest in, at the very least, taking a stake in West Ham in November.
It was reported he had met with then-West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt in Kuala Lumpur but had been unable to agree a deal.
Talks though continued until, in January, former Birmingham City owners Sullivan and Gold completed their buy-out and took charge at Upton Park.
At the time, Fernandes expressed relief his proposal to buy the club had fallen through.
However, he signalled his renewed interest in West Ham after a Twitter follower on Wednesday reminded him of his comment that not buying the Hammers was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
"Yes, I did (say that)," he replied. "Because I was full on with Lotus. That has stabilised now."
And with West Ham now out of the lucrative Premier League, Fernandes may feel he can buty the club at a greatly reduced price.
However, he told his Twitter followers: "Won't be any more statements on West Ham. Keeping fans informed.
"Now we have to just respect the process. If something happens it happens. If it goes quiet it goes quiet."
Earlier former Blackburn Rovers boss Allardyce insisted he could return the Hammers to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"It's a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters," Allardyce, sacked by Rovers in December after spells with Premier League rivals Bolton and Newcastle, told West Ham's official website.
"I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League."
However, any talk of a takeover is likely to alarm Allardyce, who at both Newcastle and Blackburn was sacked after the owners who appointed him sold up.
"For all you West Ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept," Fernandes, the owner of the AirAsia airline and Formula
One's Team Lotus, said on his Twitter page.
Fernandes made his announcement on the same day as the London club's current owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, unveiled Sam Allardyce as the new Hammers boss after they sacked Avram Grant barely an hour following relegation from the top tier of English football.
A lifelong fan of the east London club, Fernandes first expressed an interest in, at the very least, taking a stake in West Ham in November.
It was reported he had met with then-West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt in Kuala Lumpur but had been unable to agree a deal.
Talks though continued until, in January, former Birmingham City owners Sullivan and Gold completed their buy-out and took charge at Upton Park.
At the time, Fernandes expressed relief his proposal to buy the club had fallen through.
However, he signalled his renewed interest in West Ham after a Twitter follower on Wednesday reminded him of his comment that not buying the Hammers was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
"Yes, I did (say that)," he replied. "Because I was full on with Lotus. That has stabilised now."
And with West Ham now out of the lucrative Premier League, Fernandes may feel he can buty the club at a greatly reduced price.
However, he told his Twitter followers: "Won't be any more statements on West Ham. Keeping fans informed.
"Now we have to just respect the process. If something happens it happens. If it goes quiet it goes quiet."
Earlier former Blackburn Rovers boss Allardyce insisted he could return the Hammers to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
"It's a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters," Allardyce, sacked by Rovers in December after spells with Premier League rivals Bolton and Newcastle, told West Ham's official website.
"I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League."
However, any talk of a takeover is likely to alarm Allardyce, who at both Newcastle and Blackburn was sacked after the owners who appointed him sold up.
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