West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has paid tribute to the “lasting legacy” of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha following the Leicester owner’s tragic death.
Srivaddhanaprabha and four other people died after his helicopter crashed at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, shortly after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with the Hammers.
Pellegrini’s side return to action in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham on Wednesday and there will be further tributes ahead of kick-off.
He told the club’s official website: “On behalf of my staff and the players, I send our thoughts and best wishes to the families of the five victims, and to everyone at Leicester City.
“Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha led the club to one of the greatest achievements in the modern game, one that will always be remembered, and leaves a lasting legacy.
“It is a great loss for the city of Leicester and for English football, and I am sure that everyone inside London Stadium on Wednesday evening will pay their respects in a fitting manner.”
Pellegrini insists his side are taking the Carabao Cup seriously this season.
The Hammers host Tottenham in the fourth round, just 11 days after the two London clubs met in the Premier League – where Spurs ran out 1-0 winners.
With Manchester United and Liverpool among the Premier League clubs already to exit the competition, it provides a realistic chance of silverware for the remaining clubs.
He told the club’s website: “We were unlucky to lose against them in the Premier League but they have a very good squad and I expect it to be another close and difficult game.
“As I have said previously, the Carabao Cup is a major competition that we take very seriously, and we have been on the training pitch since Sunday preparing our work and focusing on what we need to do to come out on top.
“I’m very proud of the way the team is playing at the moment, the way we are thinking as a big team, and the mentality of the players to try to win every match. I hope we can continue in that way.”
Pellegrini does have some selection concerns, though, as skipper Mark Noble begins a three-match ban for his red card at Leicester on Saturday.
Marko Arnautovic is unlikely to feature due to an illness while Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez and Manuel Lanzini are still sidelined, along with Jack Wilshere (ankle).
