West Ham United 'carnage' behind the scenes as source speaks out

West Ham United have seen a second key figure resign in the space of a couple of months.

It was announced on Saturday that David Sullivan has stepped down as co-chairman with immediate effect.

Sullivan's exit comes around six weeks on from Karren Brady resigning from her role as vice-chair.

In a statement explaining his decision, Sullivan said a "small number of improper conduct claims" have been made against him.

It leaves West Ham in the lurch in terms of who is overseeing matters this summer in what has been a seismic period on and off the field.

West Ham now in crisis mode

First and foremost, the fanbase will be pleased to see the back of Sullivan once and for all.

However, the timing has not come at the best of times to say the least.

West Ham are preparing for Championship football without the man who previously oversaw transfer matters in place.

With Brady also gone, it leaves Daniel Kretinsky as the top dog at the London Stadium.

When you factor in the two key departures, either side of relegation being confirmed, it is fair to say West Ham are in crisis mode.

It was a different word used by sources behind the scenes at the London Stadium, as relayed by Jacob Steinberg for The Guardian on Saturday.

"One source said it had been 'carnage' behind the scenes at West Ham over the last few weeks," Steinberg wrote in his piece.

Where do West Ham go from here?

This is a very delicate matter so West Ham as a club are understandably playing things safe right now.

A statement from Sullivan was published, a short statement from the club, and that is it.

Kretinsky will no doubt be licking his lips at the prospect of furthering his control of the Hammers.

Whether someone new also comes on board is yet to be seen, but that will soon become clearer.

For now, West Ham are having to navigate their biggest summer in years without their biggest benefactor, but the positives may soon outweigh any negatives.