In a rare and candid interview with British media, Aiyawatt "Top" Srivaddhanaprabha, the chairman of Leicester City, has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of his family's tenure at the club. Speaking from the King Power Stadium, he described the experience as akin to a cinematic drama, stating: "It's like a movie. It's like a super drama on Netflix." This marks his first such interview in nearly a decade, coming at a time when the club faces significant challenges on and off the pitch.
A Personal Connection and Shared Pain
Srivaddhanaprabha expressed a deep, paternal bond with Leicester City, revealing that watching matches often means tuning in from Thailand at 3am local time due to time differences. "I want to see the real passion of the players and the performance," he said. "When it is not there, I can't sleep, so it's love and pain. Leicester is like my son. So I have to do it right." He acknowledged that the glow from their remarkable Premier League title win in 2016 has faded, and he shares the frustrations of supporters as the club navigates a difficult period in the Championship.
Reflecting on a Legacy and Current Struggles
The club's current situation is described as its lowest ebb since the tragic death of his father, Vichai, in a 2018 helicopter crash. Every visit to the stadium involves passing a bronze statue of his father, a constant reminder of the family's vision. "I know what his plan was, so I want to keep doing the same," Srivaddhanaprabha noted. Over nearly 16 years, the Srivaddhanaprabha family has overseen five trophies, two relegations, and three European campaigns, but recent times have been fraught with uncertainty.
Leicester City currently sit 14th in the Championship, having recently sacked manager Martí Cifuentes after just six months. Some fans fear a return to League One, but Srivaddhanaprabha remains optimistic. "With this squad, we should not be relegated again," he asserted. "The players need support from the fans big time. Because nobody wants to see us play in League One. I'm sure that we still have a chance to get back, in this table, to the playoffs at least."
Financial and Structural Challenges
The club is also grappling with profitability and sustainability regulations, awaiting a verdict from a disciplinary commission that could result in a points deduction for alleged breaches. Srivaddhanaprabha admitted the difficulties, saying, "It is difficult because to comply, everything that we did before is not easy, but we did it every year. And this year was also the same. We have to comply. I don't want to have that problem again, because it's a pain."
In response to fan scrutiny, particularly directed at long-serving director of football Jon Rudkin, Srivaddhanaprabha defended the collective decision-making process. "No club buys the right players all the time," he explained. "We used to be very good ... it's not about Jon choosing players alone, [and] blaming him. Everyone has to share the responsibility." The club is close to appointing a technical director to work alongside Rudkin, aiming to restructure for better future outcomes.
Lessons from Relegation and Future Ambitions
Reflecting on the shock relegation in 2023, which followed several top-half Premier League finishes, Srivaddhanaprabha expressed bewilderment. "I still do not understand why we go down," he said. "I think the main problem was we had no experience of a relegation fight. We were so relaxed that we were going to be OK." He acknowledged that the club may have grown complacent, forgetting its underdog roots. "We grew bigger and bigger and we forgot what we were before. We thought we are here, and that is the most dangerous position to be in."
Despite the challenges, including personal abuse and threats from some fans, Srivaddhanaprabha reaffirmed his commitment to the club. When asked about selling, he responded: "Selling the club is not the way to exit anyway. I have to make sure that I complete everything that I did here before I want to leave. Now I need to make sure the club is in a good place." He expressed a desire to see Leicester return to success, drawing inspiration from past achievements like their Champions League run in 2016-17.
As Leicester City look to rebuild, Srivaddhanaprabha's words underscore a blend of emotional investment and pragmatic planning. With the transfer window approaching and structural changes underway, the club aims to navigate its way back to stability and, ultimately, to the heights that once defined its story.
