Result ‘not important’ for us, says boss Puel
LEICESTER City boss Claude Puel says this weekend’s game against Cardiff City is “not important” as the club continues to recover from the shock death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
The Foxes will stage more tributes to their Thai owner — and the four others who died in the helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium — at Cardiff City Stadium this weekend.
It is set to be an emotional occasion, the first time Leicester have played since the tragedy, which Puel views as a chance to honour the man loving known as Vichai.
“I think the game is not important,” he said at his press conference.
“The result is not important. Our desire and action, and our pride to give our best on the pitch, to honour our chairman is the most important thing.
“When I saw my players in training, they can give their best.
“After a few minutes, they are focused on the football on the pitch. I hope we can have just have this feeling during the game.
“We have a responsibility about his memory. It was first the words of Kasper (Schmeichel): we have responsibility to continue this way.”
While Cardiff and Leicester will attempt to win vital Premier League points, the contest will pale into insignificance compared to the loss of life suffered outside the Foxes’ ground on Saturday night following their 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Puel reflected on a tough week for the club and the city of Leicester, as well as paid his own tribute to Vichai.
He along with the entire Leicester squad this week visited the stadium, which has become a memorial for the late chairman.
After Leicester’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton in midweek was postponed in the aftermath of the incident, Puel will now try and rally his side to take to the field.
“This has been without doubt one of the hardest weeks in this football club, the tragic loss of five lives has left us numb, with sadness (and) shock,” he added.
“Our love is with Vichai’s family and the other families who have lost loved ones.
“Vichai made Leicester what is is. He made it a family, he invested in the club, invested in the city, invested in the people. He truly was loved inside and outside the club.
“Personally it was privilege to work for him, the belief he showed in me and the great moments we shared.
“Seeing all of the messages, shirts, flowers, shows the amount of lives he touched. He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered and a vision that the club and myself as manager will take forward.
“I have never been prouder to be manager. In difficult circumstances, the togetherness shown by everyone, has shown what a special club this is.
“The football has not been at the front of our minds, but we will play to remember the man that did so much for our club.”
Puel revealed how he discovered the devastating news last Saturday.
He added: “I was in my office at the stadium, with my family, friends and my staff. We heard the news and we were devastated. We could not understand what had happened.
“We remained together a long time without the possibility to share words. It was silence. After I saw Kasper, I think he was the only player still here after the game. It was difficult, very difficult.
“All my squad was with a lot of sadness and upset about this event. It’s a difficult moment, just after the incident.
“Along this week, on Monday, we made a meeting at the training ground to speak, to share our feelings, it was important not to forget.
“Just to talk between ourselves and to share this very difficult moment.”