Need the latest Foxes transfer news? Get FREE email alerts for Leicester City FC Sign up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has vowed to continue his father Vichai’s vision for the club.

It is a year to the day since Khun Vichai tragically died - along with four other people - in a helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium.

His son, better known as Top, took over as chairman - saying in a statement last year: “From him, I have received a very big mission and legacy to pass on and I intend to do just that.

“He has left me with a legacy to continue and I will do everything I can to carry on his big vision and dreams.”

But what was Khun Vichai’s vision for City? We’ve taken a look...

Building a squad for the future

On the pitch, Khun Vichai’s objective was to see City establish themselves as a regular in the battle at the top of the Premier League.

To do that, the plan is to develop young prospects into leading stars.

“Our primary ambition is a long-term one – to make Leicester City a sustainable and consistently competitive force in the Premier League,” Khun Vichai said at the start of last season.

“Season by season, we look for progress, which can come in many forms. Last season, under Claude Puel, we saw the start of an evolution in our squad, to a different, more methodical style of play and the further emergence of young players from our academy such as Ben Chilwell, Hamza Choudhury and Harvey Barnes.

(Image: 2018 Getty Images)

“This season, our evolution will continue with new players in the squad and I’m excited to see the progress we can make.

“At the end of the season, results and league position must always be put into context and it is in these broader distinctions that we monitor whether the club is successfully pursuing that long-term ambition.

“We have retained a number of our senior experienced players, complemented by a young, gifted squad this season, led by a manager in Claude Puel who has a fine record in the development of outstanding young talent.

“With the full force of the Blue Army behind them, they have the potential to reach great heights. Send them into every game with your belief, your love your passion for Leicester City and watch them flourish.

“Together we can continue to drive forward.”

Puel has been succeeded by Brendan Rodgers, who has led to team to third place in the Premier League table.

Developing the King Power Stadium

Off the field, City’s plans for their new £100million training ground have been approved, while the club have also begun to look at an expansion to the King Power Stadium.

The latter was not a decision taken lightly, said Khun Vichai.

“It is something we have thought about a lot over the last eight years, but we had to be sure that the club was ready to take that step and that it was consistent with the sustainable growth of the club,” Vichai explained last August.

“The King Power Stadium atmosphere has been such a big asset to Leicester City during that time that we had to make sure any possible expansion would be good for the matchday experience and the advantage it gives to the team on the pitch.

(Image: Leicester City FC/KSS Group)

“Having studied the evidence and current trends we felt now, following the growth and success of the last two years, was the time to move forward.

“It’s a really exciting project that we are determined to deliver for our fans and the Leicester community.

“King Power Stadium is already a major asset to Leicester that has not only been the stage for some of the greatest sporting stories ever seen, but it has brought some of the finest international sport to the city too.

“The Premier League, the Champions League, the Rugby World Cup, senior England internationals – all major sporting events and competitions this stadium has hosted, proudly bringing attention, prestige and economic revenue to this great sporting city.

“Imagine what will be possible with an increased capacity, improved facilities and purposeful investment in the surrounding site.

“We see it not only as an opportunity for the club, but as our duty to give the city of Leicester a venue and a destination worthy of its strong standing in world sport.”

Evolving - but retaining the family essence

While Khun Vichai was eager to evolve the club, he was also wary of losing the connection between City and their supporters.

He said retaining the club’s family feel was integral to his plans.

“In the eight seasons since we took ownership of Leicester City, we have created some incredible memories on our journey from the Championship, to the top flight, to the Premier League title and into the UEFA Champions League – memories we will all treasure for the rest of our lives,” he said in May.

“Evolution is crucial to keeping our club moving forward, to remaining an established, successful, competitive force in the Premier League, to continuing to create such memories for generations to come.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“In forging a legacy for our achievements, we must embrace evolution, while retaining the unique spirit of togetherness that defines this club.

“Much of our success has been built on the closeness and the familiarity that spirit has created between supporters, players and staff. Retaining it must be our biggest priority as we continue to grow and evolve – particularly in the development of our proposed new training ground at Seagrave and the potential expansion of King Power Stadium.

“Both are exciting strides forward for Leicester City in the coming years, but we must never allow the family essence of our club to be lost. Our ambition is to continue to grow and develop, to continue to reach for success, together.

“We aim to make projects such as our training ground and stadium developments sources of pride for the Leicester community, whose support continues to underpin everything we aspire for.

“It is impossible to repay the people of this city for the support they have given us in the last eight years, but striving to give back, to improve lives and to support worthy causes in the region through the LCFC Foxes Foundation remains an integral part of our vision.”

He added in August: “(To supporters) it would be a message of thanks for continuing to show faith in our vision, for supporting the team and for proudly representing Leicester City around the country and all over the world.

“A football club means nothing without its fans and we will continue to keep you at the heart of every decision we make for your club.”