Magnusson 'to succeed' at Hammers
By John Sinnott
Eggert Magnusson, the head of the Icelandic consortium expected to
take over West Ham this week, has been backed to revive the Upton
Park club.
"Eggert will make West Ham successful," Icelandic lawyer and agent
Olafur Gardarsson, who has known Magnusson for nine years, told BBC
Sport.
"He's enthusiastic, powerful, and tells you his meaning straight to
your face.
"Whatever he does he is usually successful and it's difficult to
stop him if he gets involved in a project."
Magnusson, the president of the Icelandic Football Association and
a member of Uefa's executive committee, is set to replace Terry
Brown as chairman at Upton Park.
Under Magnusson the Icelandic Football Association has run a
surplus in its accounts each year, testament to his financial
acumen, says Gardarsson.
"It's a stable organisation and even when they've had less TV
revenue from a bad European Championship or World Cup qualifying
group they'd have money put aside from previous years to
help."
Gardasson has also been impressed by Magnusson's negotiation and
organisation skills in his dealings with the Icelandic government,
Fifa and Uefa.
"Six years ago Iceland didn't have any indoor football halls - now
we've got up to six," said Gardasson. "They are used all the time
as well as in the evening.
"The Icelandic FA has also built up to up to 100 small artificial
grounds for children to play in.
"This was a response to parents complaining there were no spaces
for their kids to play due to the housing development that has gone
on in Iceland, which has reduced the number of green spaces.
"The Icelandic government spoke to Fifa and the government and
together they have made a start to improve this problem.
"Under Magnusson, again with Fifa and the Icelandic government's
help, the national stadium has also been improved, with the
building of a second stand.
"I know within Uefa he's well known and well respected."
Gardarsson believes billionaire financier Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson,
who is chairman of the Icelandic bank Landsbanki and is backing the
Magnusson consortium, will be an important figure at Upton
Park.
"I have known Gudmundsson for over 15 years," said Gardasson.
"He was chairman of Icelandic club KR for many years. He is clever,
successful and an extremely likeable gentleman.
"From what I understand he would be a quiet partner, but it is a
strength to have him in the background.
"Despite his wealth he treats everyone the same way whatever their
status. He is a good people person."
Gardasson added: "There are always more dangers taking over a
football club rather than an ordinary business.
"But Iceland is not far from you and I think we are similar
peoples.
"We have watched English football avidly since 1965 and hundreds of
people travel each weekend from Iceland to watch English
clubs.
"West Ham is a big name with a long history. You only have to think
of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
"There are possibilites with a name like that, you don't have to
build from scratch. It is known all round the world."
