This has been the hardest week in the history of Leicester City, we’re numb ...but our togetherness has been very special and I’ve never been so proud to manage this football club
PUEL TRIBUTE TO HIS TEAM,THE CITY AND THE TRAGIC OWNER WHO MADE DREAMS COME TRUE
CLAUDE PUEL, his face etched in sorrow after a harrowing week, reflected on the emotions at Leicester with a tribute to the club’s late owner.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s tragic death in Saturday’s helicopter crash has led to thousands of flowers and touching farewell gestures at the King Power Stadium.
The disaster claimed the lives of all five people on board and has devastated the former Premier League champions.
And Foxes coach Puel yesterday showed a personal touch of his own to start his press conference with a penned tribute to his late boss and the pride he felt in being allowed to manage the club he had built.
The Frenchman, speaking with a voice filled with emotion, said: “This has been without doubt one of the hardest weeks in the history of this football club.
“The tragic loss of five lives has left us all numb and in shock. Our prayers and love remain with Vichai’s family and all the other families who have lost loved ones.
“Vichai made Leicester City into what it is today. He made it a family. He invested into the club, he invested in the city and he invested in the people.
“He was truly loved by everyone inside and outside the club. Personally, it was a privilege to work for him.
“I will cherish the belief he showed in me and the great moments we shared.
“Seeing all of the messages, flowers and shirts outside the stadium this week shows the amount of lives he touched.
“He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered forever and a vision that the club and myself, as manager, will take forward.
“I, myself, have never been prouder to be manager for this football club.
“In such difficult circumstances, the togetherness shown by the whole club has shown what a special club this is.
“Playing football has not been at the front of our minds this week, but for this weekend and all matches thereafter we will play to honour and remember a man who did so much for our club.
“We will continue the Leicester City he built.”
Puel, who then took questions from the floor ahead of tomorrow’s game at Cardiff, recounted the moment he learned the shocking news from goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell.
He added: “I was in my office in the stadium with my family and friends and all my staff.
“Of course we were devastated. We could not understand what had happened. It was not possible to learn this news.
“We remained for a lot of time together, without it being possible to share words. It was silence.”
Keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who joined Leicester in 2011, raced out to witness the crash to try to help, but nothing could be done.
Puel said: “After, we saw Kasper. It was of course very difficult. Bad moments.”
Puel then called a meeting on Monday for all his squad and staff to air their feelings before later grieving with Srivaddhanaprabha’s wife and son Top, who is stepping up from vice-chairman.
A resolve has since grown at the club, who famously won the 2015-16 title, to play on in Srivaddhanaprabha’s memory.
Puel reflected: “Of course it’s the hardest moment in my career. My feeling is to be close to all people in the club – the players, the staff. So when I saw all this sorrow, it’s difficult.
“I’m devastated like all the people, but I have a responsibility also to move together and look forward.
“It is difficult because there is a lot of emotion at one time. But step by step we have to move on. We have a lot of responsibility now to give our best and to continue his work and his dream.”
Puel said his players all decided on Tuesday that they wanted to train fully again before the squad, the staff and Top decided to play tomorrow’s game at Cardiff.
“We have to fight together to honour him,” said Puel, who certainly made an admirable start as he showed leadership and class in the most difficult of circumstances.