The report says Sullivan moved aside after being alerted to the imminent publication of the allegations.
That framing is important. Clubs try to separate legal or personal matters from sporting and commercial activity, especially at a point in the calendar when recruitment planning, budgeting and executive sign-off are central.
A leadership change rarely lands in isolation. Even when a club insists business will continue as normal, uncertainty at board level can slow decision-making. Contract talks, transfer approvals and broader strategy often require clear authority.
That is why Virani’s role now looks central. Interim structures can work if responsibilities are clear and messages are consistent. They become harder to manage if the situation drags on or prompts wider questions about ownership direction and long-term leadership.
The biggest danger for West Ham is drift. Supporters can accept turbulence if the club acts decisively and keeps the sporting side stable. What they tend to resist is ambiguity - particularly in the off-field chain of command.
The next steps will be closely watched: whether West Ham make the interim arrangement more formal, whether further statements follow, and whether the club can move into the next transfer and planning cycle without this becoming a longer-running distraction.