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Ranieri pays tribute to late Leicester owner Srivaddhanaprabha

Former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has paid tribute to the club's late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Ranieri was "terribly shaken" by the death of Leicester City chairman Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in Saturday night's helicopter crash.

"I was terribly shaken by the news," Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

"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. Now it's up to his son, who has always been in love with football, to carry on in his father's footsteps.

"I remember when we first met that 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."

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