Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha, the chairman of Leicester City, has opened up about his family's tumultuous tenure at the club, describing it as akin to a gripping Netflix drama. In a rare and candid interview with British media, the Thai businessman shared his deep emotional connection to the Foxes, likening the club to a son he must nurture through both triumphs and tribulations.
A Rollercoaster Ride of Love and Pain
Srivaddhanaprabha, who has been involved with Leicester since 2010, expressed that his experience is a blend of "love and pain." He watches every match, even if it means tuning in at 3am from Bangkok for an 8pm UK kick-off, driven by a desire to witness the players' passion. When that passion falters, he admits to sleepless nights, underscoring his profound responsibility to the club. "Leicester is like my son," he stated. "So I have to do it right. Of course, a son can be naughty, a son can fail the exam, a pain in your head. The son can be top of the class, graduate, have a bad girlfriend or good wife, you never know. So I feel the same, but the love is there."
From Premier League Glory to Championship Struggles
The club's journey under the Srivaddhanaprabha family has been nothing short of cinematic. Since taking over, Leicester has achieved remarkable feats, including a fairy-tale Premier League title win in 2016, an FA Cup victory in 2021, and multiple European campaigns. However, recent years have seen a stark decline, with relegation from the Premier League in 2023 and current mid-table struggles in the Championship. Srivaddhanaprabha reflected on this dramatic arc, noting, "In almost 16 years, we have won five trophies, we've had two relegations, three times in Europe. It's like a movie. It's like a super drama on Netflix."
He acknowledged the fading glow of past successes and the palpable frustration among fans, particularly after the recent sacking of manager Martí Cifuentes. Despite sitting 14th in the Championship, Srivaddhanaprabha remains optimistic, asserting that with the current squad, relegation should be avoidable. "The players need support from the fans big time," he urged. "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."
Navigating Financial and Structural Challenges
The interview also touched on the club's ongoing issues with profitability and sustainability regulations, with Leicester awaiting a disciplinary commission's verdict that could result in a points deduction. Srivaddhanaprabha described the compliance process as a "pain," emphasising the need to avoid future problems. He defended the club's football operations, including director of football Jon Rudkin, who has faced criticism from supporters. "Jon is [seen as] like a bad cop ... when we won the Premier League, it's because of Jon too," he said, highlighting plans to restructure the backroom staff to improve performance.
Reflecting on the unexpected relegation in 2023, Srivaddhanaprabha admitted confusion, citing a lack of experience in a relegation fight among the squad. "We grew bigger and bigger and we forgot what we were before," he mused. "We thought we are here, and that is the most dangerous position to be in." This humility marks a shift from earlier ambitions, such as his father's bold claim to target Champions League qualification within three years of promotion—a goal that Srivaddhanaprabha initially cautioned against.
Commitment to the Long-Term Vision
Despite the challenges, including personal abuse and threats from some fans, Srivaddhanaprabha reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Leicester City. He dismissed speculation about selling the club, stating, "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." He expressed a desire to restore the club to success, drawing inspiration from past achievements like the 2016-17 Champions League quarter-final run. "I want to do it again, but I know football is not mathematics," he concluded, encapsulating the unpredictable nature of the sport that has defined his family's tenure.
