Manchester United stadium warning sent by Richard Keys after what happened with West Ham United
Richard Keys has used the example of West Ham as to why Seb Coe may not be the best choice to lead the Manchester United stadium project.
West Ham moved into the London Stadium in 2016, four years on from the ground hosting the London Olympics.
Coe was behind that stadium project, as he will be United’s new ground alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Andy Burnham.
However, writing in his weekly blog [11 March], Keys said: “I’m not sure Seb Coe should be anywhere near the project.
“I like Coe as well, but the last project he was involved in led to the London Stadium being built – a hybrid athletics/football stadium that’s never been fit for purpose.”
West Ham home attendance bettered only by Manchester United
The London Stadium for a long time did not feel like home – and for many it never will compared to Upton Park – but it is slowly getting there.
West Ham needed a move to a bigger ground and average attendances of 62,463 – bettered only by Man United (73,523) – justify the move.
For all the headaches that came with moving into a stadium built by taxpayers money, it makes you wonder if it was worthwhile.
As we have seen many times over the past few seasons, though, the ground can generate an atmosphere as good as any ground in the country on its day.
The positioning of the fans is not ideal, but it was ultimately a ground made with athletics in mind. Coe therefore cannot be blamed for any fallout.
The difference with Man United is they are planning to move into a purpose-built stadium at some point, so it should tick every box.
However, once they do move to that new ground – should it ever happen – the same questions that West Ham fans raised regarding the atmosphere will no doubt not take long to surface.
In other West Ham news, Alan Pardew made a point regarding Eddie Howe in response to the future of David Moyes.
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