Leicester City chairman reaffirms commitment after relegation

By Ben Sully | 30 May 2023

Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha confirms his commitment to the club following their relegation from the Premier League.

Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has reaffirmed his commitment to the club after they were relegated from the Premier League.

The Foxes were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season despite claiming a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at the King Power Stadium.

Everton's 1-0 win against Bournemouth ended Leicester's nine-year stay in the top flight, which included their historic title win in the 2015-16 campaign.

In a lengthy statement released on Monday, Srivaddhanaprabha reaffirmed his commitment to the Foxes despite being sent messages of abuse from supporters encouraging him to sell.

Srivaddhanaprabha said: "This past season has been the most difficult for all of us to endure. Relegation is a consequence of 38 games and over that period, we haven't been good enough.

Leicester City players look dejected after being relegated from the Premier League on May 28, 2023 © Reuters

"Over the coming days and weeks, we need to reflect on the processes and decisions that have brought us to this point. What we learn from this experience must convert into action that makes us stronger and prevents this happening to us again in the future.

"This responsibility that I continue to live is one of the greatest responsibilities in my life and I will continue to put everything into it - my passion, that of my family and the entire King Power community,"

"I have received a massive number of messages from our fans - both positive and negative. Some want me to sell the club, some using offensive and thoughtless words, and some have been outright abusive.

"But for every hurtful message I have received, I have also received messages of support, of appreciation, of unity - both remotely and from people I have met anonymously in public, who always come to say hello to me and to my family. It means a lot to us."

Leicester City manager Dean Smith looks dejected after being relegated from the Premier League on May 28, 2023 © Reuters

The Srivaddhanaprabha family have owned Leicester since 2010, and Aiyawatt became chairman in 2018 after the death of his father Vichai.

Under their ownership, Leicester have earned promotion from the Championship, lifted the Premier League title and won the FA Cup.

There are expected to be a number of departures this summer, with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu all out of contract, while James Maddison and Harvey Barnes have been linked with moves away.

Leicester boss Dean Smith was appointed on a short-term deal until the end of the season in April, and he will meet with the club's hierarchy in the next few days to discuss his future.