Leicester City boss praises Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha’s courage, leadership

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Chairman of Leicester City Football Club (R) and his family are seen in the stands during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Chairman of Leicester City Football Club (R) and his family are seen in the stands during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers recently spoke of Leicester City’s newly named chairman, Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha, praising his courage and leadership.

Leicester City’s opening Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers ended 0-0 on Sunday. A fairly eventful meeting between the Midlands rivals unfolded, though VAR was the main focal point. While the Foxes’ attacking prowess lacked certainty.

Something that is now happily clarified, is Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha taking the helm at Leicester City Football Club. This was confirmed amongst the transfer window deadline day furore via an announcement on their official website.

Top’s father, Vichai, tragically died on October 27, 2018 in a helicopter disaster at King Power Stadium. Aiyawatt was very brave in public on every occasion since. Additionally the Blue Army are absolutely delighted for him to become the club chair.

Praise for Leicester City chairman

Before the match versus Wolves Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers talked about his chief, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha:

"“Well I think that firstly, after the tragedy, Khun Top showed incredible courage. You think his father lost his life here and the very next day he was here. From that very day, he assumed the responsibility of leading the Club.“At any football club, in particular here, leadership is very, very important. From that day, he assumed the responsibility that his father had taken since he took over and worked very closely. It’s just felt really natural.“He was obviously working very closely with his father for the previous two years and really getting to understand how to lead the Club.“Of course, for me, since I’ve come in here, he’s been incredible. He’s been a real focal point of everything, and I think any good club needs that. They need clear leadership where everything is clear and there’s a purpose.“I feel it was very natural for him to step into that, but it’s also important for him as well to take on that role and responsibility and then, everyone has that clarity.”– Brendan RodgersVia: lcfc.com"

Rodgers is absolutely correct to mention Srivaddhanaprabha in this context. It was touching that club and city were as one following last year’s awful accident; the faithful hold the Thai family very dearly in their hearts.

It’s always great to hear of rapport between a manager and owner, too. That type of understanding only benefits the actual on-pitch performance and roster morale overall.

More from Foxes of Leicester

The Leicester squad have often individually spoken of how grounded a magnate Top is; they seem to relate to one another throughout the team. In fact the same can be said, from what Foxes of Leicester have seen and heard, from staff of all ranking on Filbert Way.

As a longtime fan, over 20 years in fact, there is certainly no period in this writer’s memory that compares to the potential and optimism surrounding Leicester at present. Obviously the giddy times of summer 2016 notwithstanding.