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Claudio Ranieri has revealed how he had been “terribly shaken” by the death of Leicester City boss Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Mr Ranieri, 66, was hired by Mr Vichai in 2015 and led Leicester to their historic Premier League title success the following year.
The billionaire, 60, was among five people who died when his helicopter plummeted into a car park outside the King Power stadium shortly after his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.
“I was terribly shaken by the news,” Mr Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia in his first public reaction since the tragedy.
“He was a good man and always had a positive word for everyone. His positivity and ability to make everybody love him was clear for all to see. He came into the locker room only to dispense kind words, never to reproach you.
“One time soon after my birthday, he arrived in the locker room with a huge cake and made everyone sing ‘Happy Birthday.’
“He was an illuminated man and everything he touched became better.”
Mr Ranieri said it was now up to Mr Vichai’s son “who has always been in love with football” to carry on in his father’s footsteps.
He recalled his first meeting with Mr Vichai.
“I immediately thought he was a positive person, full of energy. My objective when I arrived at Leicester was to secure Premier League safety, then we all know what happened.
“Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha made a very important contribution to the Premier League victory, as he’d arrive 30 minutes before the game to embrace everyone. He never said a word out of turn, was always happy with a smile on his face.
“I am so sad right now, I want to join the family in their grief.”
After Cladio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester in February 2017 he took charge of French Ligue 1 side Nantes for the 2017-2018 season.
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