Leicester chairman vows to stay and targets swift return to the Premier League despite receving ‘abusive’ messages from some fans urging him to sell the club following relegation to the Championship
- Leicester were relegated from the Premier League despite beating West Ham
- Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Khun Top, was at King Power Stadium on Sunday
- Top said he had been targeted by furious fans after they failed to beat the drop
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha revealed he has received ‘abusive’ messages from fans urging him to sell the newly-relegated club.
Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Khun Top, watched at King Power Stadium on Sunday as Leicester’s 2-1 win over West Ham was not enough to save them from dropping into the Championship.
Top is expected to hold talks on Tuesday with Dean Smith, whose eight-game spell as manager ended against West Ham.
But in an open letter to supporters on Monday, Top explained that he had been personally targeted by furious supporters.
‘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.
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has vowed to stay at newly-relegated club
Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League despite beating West Ham 2-1
‘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.
‘This past season has been the most difficult for all of us to endure, ultimately resulting in relegation from the Premier League.
‘Relegation is a consequence of 38 games and over that period, we haven’t been good enough. 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.’
Leicester will suffer a huge drop in revenue and key players will be sold, notably England internationals James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
Seven other first-team squad members were out of contract and others intend to leave, meaning the next permanent manager faces a huge rebuilding job.
Dean Smith was appointed as boss in April, but was unable to save the Foxes from relegation
But despite suggestions the King Power group were interested in selling Leicester, Top insists he is in it for the long haul.
‘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,’ he said.
‘We still have the same ambition for Leicester City that we had 13 years ago. We will gather all this support and use it to power our recovery. Power to justify our fans’ belief in their Club. Power to take us back to the Premier League.
‘Next season is going to be tough, but it will be a year for collaboration and unity. We will come together and fight to return to the Premier League.’
