Who will fill the void left by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at Leicester?

[davieG]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/11546036/who-will-fill-the-void-left-by-vichai-srivaddhanaprabha-at-leicester

 

By Rob Dorsett, Sky Sports News Midlands Reporter
Last Updated: 06/11/18 9:25am

Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett reflects on the funeral of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and how Leicester move on from the tragic events of October 27…

Thousands of flowers, all perfectly white - Jasmin, Lilies, Lotus flowers, Orchids - lining the 100m bridge that leads to the Wat Debsirin Temple entrance. Elaborate displays that are constantly tended by armies of helpers. Every wilted petal quickly removed. No bloom left without water to drink, in temperatures exceeding 32 Celsius. Collections of incense sticks, burning constantly, are regularly replaced when spent. Entering the Temple where Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha lies is a sensory experience like no other.

Once inside the Temple, there is a huge portrait of Khun Vichai surrounded by yet more elaborate and spectacular floral displays, along with ceremonial fans offered by the great and the good of Thailand's families. The Thai Prime Minister has visited his funeral, so has the Thai Princess. The British Ambassador....Thailand's most capped player - the list of dignitaries goes on and on. And then there's the funeral casket - an 8ft high, solid gold eight-sided urn, given by the King of Thailand as the final resting place for a diminutive, humble, quiet man, whose importance to the world far outweighed his stature.

 

As it is in Bangkok, so it is in Leicester.

No one is now in any doubt about Vichai's standing within the football club he owned, and just how vital he was to its success. Jamie Vardy called him Leicester's father - the squad as a whole called him "The Boss".

So what now for Leicester, in the aftermath of this man's passing?

There is a huge void to fill. It's a question that many a Foxes fan has asked, since the tragic events of October 27. The fear is that the club could become rudderless, directionless in the absence of its patriarch.

But there is more than a little reason for optimism. The key people who run the football club are still in place.

Chief executive Susan Whelan never seeks the limelight, but is resolute and shrewd when it comes to business. She hardly ever does interviews but knows King Power intimately, having worked in the upper echelons of the multi-billion pound business for years, before Vichai hand-picked her, as one of his most trusted executives, to run his new football club in 2010.

She has been devastated by the accident having known Vichai for longer, and more closely, than anybody else in Leicester. But her leadership - within minutes of the helicopter crashing on that Saturday night - has been nothing short of staggering. Her clarity of mind, and decision making when others were in chaos, has been recognised with all the club's employees. She has inspired, controlled, and motivated a workforce that was left shell-shocked by an unexpected tragedy. That speaks volumes about her strength of character and bodes well for the club's stability going forward.

Jon Rudkin, the director of football, knows the club better than anyone. He first started working as the club's academy manager and, several times since, has been appointed caretaker manager when the main man has been sacked. He also helped develop Emile Heskey, Jeff Schlupp and Andy King.

 

But since the Srivaddhanaprabha takeover in 2010, he has been almost constantly at Vichai's side. A key adviser and insight-giver into the workings of English football, and "the Leicester way". Alongside Whelan, he can continue to offer the industry-insider's knowledge, and the recruitment strategy, that is so vital to a successful club.

Before Srivaddhanaprabha's death, there was intermittent speculation about the future of manager Claude Puel. In the aftermath of Vichai's passing, you have to say his position is more secure than ever.

He was the first Leicester voice to speak following the tragedy, and he did so with a quiet dignity which won him many new admirers, both inside and outside the club. His whispering, thoughtful style of speaking suited the sombre mood perfectly.

 

But more than that, his words were considered, honest and apt. He has grown in the eyes of Leicester's bosses and shown himself very able to lead the squad of players at a time when they really needed someone to lead. It was Puel who asked the players what they wanted to do last Monday morning when they reported back for their first training session. They chose not to train.

Instead, Puel allowed Kasper Schmeichel to take the lead in the group discussions - the sharing of emotion, and the first digestion of the weekend's events. Sometimes, the best leadership is knowing when to step back, and Puel knew there were others in his group who had known Vichai for much longer, hurting more acutely and could speak more appropriately at that time.

Puel asked the players whether they wanted to attend the funeral ceremony in Bangkok, explaining that it would mean an exhausting schedule, with 25 hours of flying, which would allow only 36 hours in the country. All the players said they wanted to go. Puel accepted their wish, even though it was not the best physical preparation for his team, with Saturday's game against Burnley in mind.

He has shown great emotional intelligence in allowing his squad to make decisions for themselves. Treating them like grown-ups and respecting their wishes at an incredibly difficult time. As a result, his bond with the players can only have been strengthened, as has his relationship with his bosses.

And Vichai's successor is a man who stands above all others, in importance to Leicester's future success. And he knows it.

Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is the key to Vichai's legacy. On four separate occasions I saw "Top", as he is affectionately known by the fans, make very public visits to the huge shrine at the King Power Stadium, to read the messages, and share the grief of the fans. He knew that at this difficult time, he could not hide away to endure his own, private grief. He needed to be visible - alongside the fans.

So there he was, twice with his mother, Vichai's widow. Again, with Claudio Ranieri, on his first return to the club where he won the Premier League title. And once more on his own, a more private pilgrimage. This is a man even smaller in stature than his father, but clearly a very strong man. A man that has impressed everyone with his composure and dignity since the personal tragedy that has torn his family apart.

It fell to Top, to give the first official words from the football club, in the aftermath of the helicopter crash. In his statement, he spoke knowledgeably and reassuringly of the new responsibility that had been thrust his way. A responsibility not just to keep the football club afloat, but to make it better, stronger, as his father would have wished.

Top gets it. He truly understands the club. While it was his father who took all the big decisions, for the last eight years, Top has been much more visible in Leicester, and much more involved in the day-to-day running of the club. He does the interviews - occasionally - that his father never did. Communicating his vision, the Srivaddhanaprabha vision, of what the club wants to be.

He, of course, takes over as the head of Vichai's £2.6bn business empire - King Power, which is a huge retailer in Thailand and the East as a whole. There has to be a concern that, in the short term at least, he might be distracted with all he has to learn and do within the family business, eating away at some of the time he would like to focus on football.

But any distraction from Leicester will not last long. For all his business interests, Leicester was Vichai's baby. He made it clear to Aiyawatt it is a key priority - something that must be nourished, championed and invested in. Aiyawatt has told Leicester's fans he wants the club to thrive, and progress further, in honour of his father.

Every other promise the Srivaddhanaprabha family have made to Leicester, they have kept. It would be wrong to doubt Aiyawatt's desire and determination now.

[AKCJ]

Top will fill the gap and he will do a splendid job.

[thesilverfox]

Brilliant piece!

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Top

[urban.spaceman]

Great piece. Nice to read about Susan Whelan and Rudkin.

[whoareyaaa]

Perfect

[Stadt]

I’m not a fan of Dorsett but that’s a well crafted article 

[Tommy G]

I think certainly Top will remain in the short - mid term, until the shock of his father passing under the tragic circumstances sink in....a year down the line who knows how he'll feel? He could be too upset to want to continue with LCFC, and who would blame him. Every match he comes to he will be a few hundred meters away from where his dad came to his death in tragic circumstances, I wouldn't blame him if he sold up. 

 

On the flip side it could go the other way and he wants to carry on and continue the great work him & his dad has done. Major projects coming up including the new training ground and stadium expansion to oversee with Susan Whelan, both come with significant investment from King Power again. Uncertain times indeed, but for now all our thoughts should be away from LCFC's future and with him and his family during this sad time.  

 

 

[Livid]

I wish Rob Dorsett would stop writing stuff like this!!

 

Just another excellent piece from a man who also "Gets Leicester".

[sylofox]

I would expect in the short term future it will be Susan Whealan. Top has the King Power organisation and OHL to sort out first. 

[urban.spaceman]

40 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

I think certainly Top will remain in the short - mid term, until the shock of his father passing under the tragic circumstances sink in....a year down the line who knows how he'll feel? He could be too upset to want to continue with LCFC, and who would blame him. Every match he comes to he will be a few hundred meters away from where his dad came to his death in tragic circumstances, I wouldn't blame him if he sold up. 

 

On the flip side it could go the other way and he wants to carry on and continue the great work him & his dad has done. Major projects coming up including the new training ground and stadium expansion to oversee with Susan Whelan, both come with significant investment from King Power again. Uncertain times indeed, but for now all our thoughts should be away from LCFC's future and with him and his family during this sad time.  

 

 

I don’t question for a second that he’ll do the latter. His emotions will be even more invested in LCFC than ever before. I would imagine he’ll visit the crash site/memorial area before every match and will sit next to his dad’s empty seat. Vichai was here for the long term and the best tribute Top can do for his dad is to carry them through to reality.

 

Though I’m pretty sure he’ll want a cup very soon, too!

[dmayne7]

3 hours ago, Stadt said:

I’m not a fan of Dorsett but that’s a well crafted article 

I kind of understand that but he's written a brilliant couple of articles so credit where it's due.

[st albans fox]

I wonder re the amount of time Top can spend in the country re personal tax arrangements. its possible that in the short term he simply wont be able to be as 'visible' as his dad was - guess this will certainly be the case whilst he goes through his mourning period  

[Collymore]

I feel all of the Rudkin bashing has fell into insignificance now and looking back it was massively ridiculous and unfounded.

 

I actually feel a little bit ashamed I put any energy into mocking him in the past.

 

Stability is so important going forward and he's a part of the Leicester family - he  could be one of the most important people at the club as we stabilise.

[Ric Flair]

15 hours ago, st albans fox said:

I wonder re the amount of time Top can spend in the country re personal tax arrangements. its possible that in the short term he simply wont be able to be as 'visible' as his dad was - guess this will certainly be the case whilst he goes through his mourning period  

I think that is why Vichai and Top thought nothing of going back and forth so often on their private jet. 

[Xen]

3 hours ago, Collymore said:

I feel all of the Rudkin bashing has fell into insignificance now and looking back it was massively ridiculous and unfounded.

 

I actually feel a little bit ashamed I put any energy into mocking him in the past.

 

Stability is so important going forward and he's a part of the Leicester family - he  could be one of the most important people at the club as we stabilise.

I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. In the past, (some of) the criticism of Rudkin has been appropriate, and he's definitely had his faults.

 

However, he has most certainly grown into the role and improved in recent years. He's been here far longer than most people at the club, including the Thais, and is absolutely part of the family. He had the full trust of Vichai and - presumably - Top, so I have full faith that the trio of Top/Whelan/Rudkin will be able to see us through these difficult times.

[urban.spaceman]

Rudders certainly earned his critics with the horror show of 2016 and the Silva Deadline Debacle™️, firing Shakespeare and hiring Puel. But he certainly won a lot of people over with this summer’s transfer window. He was always Vichai’s man so we should get behind him until he ****s summat else up

[Tommy G]

I'm sure LCFC have their short term business visitors record up to date!I I've just had a load of fluff from PWC on that for our company. Top will be well looked after tax wise I don't think any of us lcfc fans need to worry. 

[Al-aLondon-Foxile]

A wonderful piece, and great to read how much strength we have behind the scenes. I take it for granted, but good to hear, and great to have it published and for their efforts to be acknowledged. I really think this could spur us on to greater things, we're stronger together, always have been, and this can only have brought us all closer. i can't wait for Saturday, and i hope we raise the roof from 1st minute to last. 

LTID 

[fuchsntf]

18 hours ago, st albans fox said:

I wonder re the amount of time Top can spend in the country re personal tax arrangements. its possible that in the short term he simply wont be able to be as 'visible' as his dad was - guess this will certainly be the case whilst he goes through his mourning period  

Taking in account ,the summer months,and even in our January transfer window periods,Vichai and family were often not to be seen around

Europe...So having the normal obligatory 3months(in a year) ,would cover any necessary business and honourary presence.So Top would be around as much

as his father . The mourning period,for the whole family will be a personal issue.

If the very early reports of the family's 1st Leicesters interest,were correct it was Top who actually chose The foxes..

The world won't stand still,because of Vichais passing,nor will business interests.There were changes already in progress for the family's

various business,and interests for the future.I don't think their ideology and future approaches will change that much...

I don't think too much will change for the brand and family Leicester city,over the next 2-3 seasons.

Plus promises for towns individual investment/care will be uphold.

 

But Vichais passing will have an effect on the club and City,but only time will be the writer of this story...

Assumptions,presumptions,thoughts on any expectations,from within,or any part of the media will be at present,and for the next months,

Just empty spaces,among wasted words...

 

[st albans fox]

11 minutes ago, fuchsntf said:

Taking in account ,the summer months,and even in our January transfer window periods,Vichai and family were often not to be seen around

Europe...So having the normal obligatory 3months(in a year) ,would cover any necessary business and honourary presence.So Top would be around as much

as his father . The mourning period,for the whole family will be a personal issue.

If the very early reports of the family's 1st Leicesters interest,were correct it was Top who actually chose The foxes..

The world won't stand still,because of Vichais passing,nor will business interests.There were changes already in progress for the family's

various business,and interests for the future.I don't think their ideology and future approaches will change that much...

I don't think too much will change for the brand and family Leicester city,over the next 2-3 seasons.

Plus promises for towns individual investment/care will be uphold.

 

But Vichais passing will have an effect on the club and City,but only time will be the writer of this story...

Assumptions,presumptions,thoughts on any expectations,from within,or any part of the media will be at present,and for the next months,

Just empty spaces,among wasted words...

 

i believe that vichai spent a lot of his time in the UK.  far far more than 90 days. people were often telling me that they had seen him and his group eating in central London restaurants during the week.  Top is already close to most of the playing squad …. does anyone have any idea how long the period of mourning will be whereby Top has to remain in Thailand ?

[Xen]

Is it just me that thinks its a bit distasteful talking about all these personal tax requirements and how much time Top is/isn't allowed to spend in the country?

 

It makes absolutely no difference to any of us, there's no point speculating based off of essentially zero concrete information, and the necessary arrangements will already have been considered by the relevant people.

 

The family is in mourning, they don't need randomers on the internet discussing their personal financial circumstances.

[st albans fox]

6 minutes ago, Xen said:

Is it just me that thinks its a bit distasteful talking about all these personal tax requirements and how much time Top is/isn't allowed to spend in the country?

 

It makes absolutely no difference to any of us, there's no point speculating based off of essentially zero concrete information, and the necessary arrangements will already have been considered by the relevant people.

 

The family is in mourning, they don't need randomers on the internet discussing their personal financial circumstances.

We aren't discussing their personal tax situation in any detail - just pointing out that Top may not be able to be in the country as much as vichai was ……… i cant see how that's distasteful given the nature of the thread ??

[brucey]

39 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

i believe that vichai spent a lot of his time in the UK.  far far more than 90 days. people were often telling me that they had seen him and his group eating in central London restaurants during the week.  Top is already close to most of the playing squad …. does anyone have any idea how long the period of mourning will be whereby Top has to remain in Thailand ?

Funeral lasts a week and Top should be at the Burnley match.

[fuchsntf]

1 hour ago, st albans fox said:

i believe that vichai spent a lot of his time in the UK.  far far more than 90 days. people were often telling me that they had seen him and his group eating in central London restaurants during the week.  Top is already close to most of the playing squad …. does anyone have any idea how long the period of mourning will be whereby Top has to remain in Thailand ?

Thai-buddhism....1st week is the beginning of a long mourning period. 

 

According to my Thai friends and associates,...a lot depends on individual families,their positions within their close society.

Some take a few weeks,others a few months,maybe until the year passes.

When the late King died,there was an official statement of 100 days mourning.

Privately, each family will interpret the Buddhist ceremonies according to immediate needs,but well seen/important families will often be bound to

the recognised traditions of the area ,region and maybe state!!!

The merit-rites are usually..7,50, and 100 days.

 

the mourning period,will not prevent family members,going around doing their usual day duties of routines.

The son and close family,most likely create or use merit-rites of moments,where they take pause,in devoting

thought to the person who has passed.

 

 

Edited 7 November 2018 by fuchsntf