I saw Vichai before the game in my office...his death has left us numb

An emotional Claude Puel on Leicester’s agonising week

CLAUDE PUEL has revealed the dark quietness that descended in his office at the King Power Stadium when told the terrible news about Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter crash.

The Leicester City manager was talking with family and friends after the draw against West Ham when goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell rushed in to describe the scene outside.

‘Of course we were devastated,’ said Puel. ‘We cannot understand what happened. We remained a long time together without it being possible to share words. It was silence. They were bad moments. Difficult, difficult.’

In an emotive address back at Leicester’s home ground yesterday, Puel became the first club official to speak at length about the accident that took Srivaddhanaprabha’s life, along with four others.

He confirmed Kasper Schmeichel had witnessed the flames rising into the night sky on Saturday, and that all players had been left deeply affected by the tragedy. But he said the decision to play tomorrow’s Premier League fixture at Cardiff was taken unanimously in a determination to honour the Leicester chairman.

He accepted his players would need to find the right balance of emotions in the game, though described the result as inconsequential. Puel also revealed a number of his team had expressed a desire to attend Srivaddhanaprabha’s funeral in Bangkok, which starts tomorrow and lasts until next Friday.

Puel delivered his press conference an hour after Claudio Ranieri had attended the King Power to leave a wreath at the shrine outside the north stand.

Ranieri stood by Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt, known as Top, emotion etched on their faces as they held each other while observing an image of the man who brought a miracle to Leicester. Andy King arrived a short while later to place flowers before Danny Drinkwater, now at Chelsea, came to sign one of the books of condolence. Puel’s last memory of Srivaddhanaprabha was a contented one. ‘I saw him before the game in my office,’ said Puel. ‘He was happy, with a smile. We discussed a lot. It was a pleasure. I could not imagine this thing after.’

Puel said playing against Cardiff was the right thing to do. ‘The tragic loss of five lives has left us all numb with sadness and shock,’ he said. ‘Vichai made Leicester City into what it is. He made it a family, he made it dream. He truly was loved by everyone inside and outside the club.

‘Playing football has not been at the front of our minds this week but for this weekend, and all the matches thereafter, we will play to honour and remember a man that did so much for our club.’

Puel confirmed Schmeichel was deeply upset at seeing the devastation first hand.

‘Kasper lived this situation, he saw a lot of things,’ said Puel. ‘All my squad had a lot of sadness and upset. On Monday we had a meeting at the training centre, to speak, to share our feelings.

‘It was important to talk between ourselves, to listen. Afterwards we had our meeting, with Top, the son, and his wife. I was impressed with their strength and dignity. I would like to thank them because they shared their sorrow with us like a family.’

Puel said getting back to football would help. ‘It is one of the best remedies you can have,’ he said.

‘I have 27 players in the squad and all were ready together to give their best 100 per cent. The result is not important. But our desire, our action, our pride to honour our chairman is the most important thing. I am confident when I saw my players in the training session they can give their best.

‘For a few minutes you need your focus just on the football. Before and after we cannot forget.’

Puel said he would allow those who want to attend Srivaddhanaprabha’s funeral the chance.

‘I want to give the opportunity,’ he said. ‘All the players want to go and support his family.’

Leicester’s postponed Carabao Cup tie against Southampton will now take place on November 27, so there is space in the diary.

Puel took a moment to reflect on his abiding memory of Srivaddhanaprabha. ‘It was his spirit, his kindness in all situations,’ he said. ‘He invited me to Ascot races and private polo matches. I met Prince William and Prince Harry.

‘He was generous, warm. All the time he wanted to please all the people around him. This is the image I want to keep of him.’ LAST night the helicopter wreckage was being lifted on to a truck to be taken away for further investigation.

‘Kasper lived this situation, he saw a lot of things’