The owner of Leicester City has broken a near decade-long silence with the British press, speaking candidly about the club’s current struggles and his enduring, paternal commitment to its future.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Top, described his connection to the club in familial terms, acknowledging the deep frustrations shared by supporters as the team languishes in the lower half of the Championship. “It is a relationship of love and pain,” he stated, comparing the club to a son who can both excel and disappoint. “The responsibility is there. The first thing is to identify the problem and fix it.”
His comments come during a period of significant turbulence. The recent dismissal of manager Martí Cifuentes after only six months has intensified scrutiny, with some fans fearing a drop to League One. Srivaddhanaprabha, however, dismissed talk of another relegation. “With this squad, we should not be relegated again,” he asserted, while calling for greater support from the stands to help the players.
The chairman also addressed the looming shadow of the Premier League’s financial regulations. The club awaits a ruling on alleged breaches from their title-winning Championship campaign, with potential points deductions on the line. “It is difficult to comply,” he admitted, gesturing to his throat. “I don’t want to have that problem again, because it’s a pain.”
Reflecting on the shocking top-flight relegation in 2023, which followed years of consistent top-half finishes, Srivaddhanaprabha pinpointed complacency. “We grew bigger and bigger and we forgot what we were before,” he said. “We thought we are here,” he added, raising his hand high, “and that is the most dangerous position to be in.”
He defended the club’s long-serving director of football, Jon Rudkin, a figure of significant fan criticism, arguing that responsibility for transfers is shared collectively. A restructuring is underway, with a new technical director set to be appointed to work alongside Rudkin.
Despite the current challenges, including personal abuse from a minority of fans, Srivaddhanaprabha ruled out a sale of the club he joined with his late father, Vichai, in 2010. He passes a statue of his father at the ground before every visit, a constant reminder of the family’s vision.
“Selling the club is not the way to exit,” he stated firmly. “I have to make sure that I complete everything that I did here… I still love it here, I want to make sure the club is successful again.”
He recalled the club’s fairy-tale Premier League triumph, a memory that fuels his ambition. “I want to do it again,” he said, “but I know football is not mathematics.” For now, the immediate calculation is far simpler: steering Leicester City away from danger and back towards brighter days.