Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Keith Wyness shares what he knows 'for a fact' about under-fire Leicester chief Jon Rudkin

Ciaran Morrison

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football finance journalist specialising in the financial landscape of the Premier League and SPFL. FOCUS Financial analysis, club economics, and data-led coverage across the top flight and Scottish football. THE INSIGHT Ciaran utilises a network of financial and industry contacts to deliver verified, data-driven analysis. He provides the numbers behind the noise to ensure fans understand the fiscal reality driving decisions at the top of the game.

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Leicester City's hierarchy remains dominated by Thai executives that may not all be needed at the club.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Leicester announced changes behind the scenes.

Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha will step down from his role as chief executive, with former finance director Kevin Davies appointed the new CEO.

Jon Rudkin remains at the club and has been given a new role as chief football officer, despite Leicester fans having called on the 60-year-old to depart the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City have 'too many people involved' at the club

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - believes the structure of Leicester remains "very top heavy."

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has questioned the restructure of the club.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, when I went through it in detail, the new leadership structure is still, I think, very top heavy.

"There's a layer of Thai ownership and there's three or four Thai executives that are still really there running things and underneath you've got a new chief executive and a new commercial team, but there does seem to be an extra layer of management that really is not really needed in terms of main football clubs.

"And it still seems too many people involved. The fans are very angry that John Rudkin, who is getting the blame for a lot of the demise, is still there. And I've dealt with John a lot on different player issues.

"He can be frustrating, I know that for a fact myself, but still it's still top-heavy to me and there are a number of people there that are obviously, you know, we know there's a big history between King Power, the death of the owner before in the helicopter was obviously seriously tragic, and they stuck through Leicester in good times and bad times and nobody can ever say that they haven't. 

"But I do wonder if there is a need for that extra level of a number of Thai executives there, and also having another layer underneath that as well.” 

Leicester City owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha
(Credit: Imago)

Leicester waiting on crucial points deduction verdict

Stefan Borson revealed to Football Insider that Leicester could face an increased penalty after appealing against their six-point deduction for breaching financial rules.

The Foxes were deducted the six points with immediate effect in February, and they are still awaiting the final verdict of their appeal.

Manager Gary Rowett won his first game in charge of the club at the fifth attempt against Bristol City last time out to lift Leicester above the relegation zone on goal difference.

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