The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and manager Brendan Rodgers celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup [Reuters, Nick Potts]
Brendan Rodgers wants to mastermind more success for Leicester after revealing their ecstatic owner slept with the FA Cup trophy.
Third-placed Leicester are back in action on Tuesday evening in a huge game as they bid to secure Champions League qualification at Chelsea.
They have already beaten Blues twice this season including at Wembley after Youri Tielemans' screamer.
It sparked joyous celebrations among Rodgers and the club's players and staff, including Thai owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, whose father Vichai died in a 2018 helicopter crash at the Foxes' ground.
Rodgers revealed he shares a bond with Srivaddhanaprabha, known as Top, after they both lost their fathers.
When asked who woke up with the trophy on Sunday morning, City boss Rodgers, in charge since February 2019, replied: “Top.
“He was able to take it away and spend the night with it.
“I am not sure when it will return but it will return at some stage.
“It's the first time we had this trophy that he and his father really wanted to win.
“I was aware of that, so just to share that joy and see him so happy, after having been through so much.
"Everyone has seen the tragedy and he's had to get on with his life and live with that.
"So to give him that level of joy and happiness made me feel very good.
“To see him be with the players and to enjoy that moment thinking of his father, that was a really special, emotional time.
“That we could give him that happiness after so much sadness was a special feeling.
“From a personal perspective, having lost my father and knowing probably what he had been through - from the very first time we met that brought us really close together.
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and manager Brendan Rodgers celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup [Reuters, Matthew Childs]
"That synergy has been there ever since.
"We are both very ambitious for the club.”
Leicester enjoyed some celebrations at the training ground on Saturday night before training on Sunday.
Rodgers is pushing his side to deliver two more performances against Chelsea and then home to Spurs on Sunday to clinch a top four finish.
He added: “To be the first team to win the FA Cup for this football club was a huge moment.
“Now we move on to another really big game.
“We want to arrive in the Champions League.
“If we can by the end of Sunday that will be an incredible achievement and we can all be happy.
“We have worked so hard throughout the season.
“We have two games now to arrive into the top four.
“We want to take that opportunity to be in there.
“It is down to ourselves.”
Rodgers reckons his side now have a taste for success after their dramatic 1-0 Wembley win.
He added: “I said to the players afterwards that now they know that feeling.
"What that does is give you that feeling, so lots of the players became winners at the weekend.
"Once you've become a winner that activates something within you that wants you to have more of that.”
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Deadlocked COP29 awaits fresh draft deal on final day
Blank cheque or climate lifeline? COP29's finance text sparks debate
Africa must invest in youth for a climate resilient food system
Kenyan initiative redefines climate finance at COP29
Ruto-led Nairobi Declaration fails to make impact at climate summit
join