Claudio Ranieri has paid emotional tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha by visiting the ever-growing shrine to the Leicester City owner at the King Power Stadium.
The Italian was manager when Leicester achieved the seemingly impossible by winning the Premier League title in 2015-16.
Ranieri, who managed the Foxes between 2015 and 2017, laid a wreath for Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash outside the stadium after Leicester's match with West Ham on Saturday night.
The sea of flags, scarves, shirts and flowers outside the King Power Stadium continues to grow by the hour as Leicester manager Claude Puel prepares to give a press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of their weekend visit to Cardiff City in the Premier League.
Ranieri was flanked by his wife Rosanna, Vichai's son, Aiyawatt, and wife, Aimon, as he laid the wreath before pausing for a few moments and saying a prayer to remember the owner, whose image stands at the front of the tributes.
Ranieri, who watched another former club Chelsea play Derby in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, spoke about Srivaddhanaprabha earlier this week.
He told Sky Italia: 'I was terribly shaken by the news.
'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 dressing room only to dispense kind words, never to reproach you.
'One time, soon after my birthday, he arrived in the dressing 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 [Aiyawatt], who has always been in love with football, to carry on in his father's footsteps.'
Ranieri added: '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.'
Aiyawatt, known as Top, will fly back to Thailand to aid with the repatriation of his father's body.
He is expected to return for Leicester's next home Premier League fixture against Burnley that coincides with Remembrance Sunday.
Aiyawatt confirmed his commitment to Leicester, saying his father had left a legacy and that was something he was keen to continue.
The team decided to abandon plans to fly to Cardiff for Saturday's match, instead choosing to take a three-hour coach journey on Friday.
yourself
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Unbelievably sad event. RIP to the dearly departed
campusso
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Both will be in Leicester history forever!
Leoless
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Such a horrible way to die. May he rest in peace along with the other victims who were on board.
oldestwo
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God bless you Claudio , I knew you'd come
Starkkan
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Claudio.True gentleman of the game.
apathetic
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Classy gesture from a classy man
Santiag
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Well done Claudio always the true gentleman. What a loss this man is to the human race.
gathering
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Always proud to be a Leicester fan, even more so over the last 5 days. Also, very humbled at all the support from the football community. It just goes to show that there is far more good in football than bad but it often gets overshadowed for headlines and clickbait.
pololim
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The man who led us to our greatest achievement paying his respects to the man who built us up from almost nothing and made our dreams reality. Welcome back Claudio just tragic circumstances to return. Let's make them proud on Saturday in Cardiff. Rip #theboss
Radionic
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Huge mistake letting Ranieri go.
bandage
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Welcome back Claudio - also loved by all citizens of Leicester
favorite
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Despite being sacked after taking Leicester to an unbelievable title,Ranieri flies in from Italy to pay respect.The man is sheer class.
Rose55
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Say what you want but the Italian people have manners and honour. From managers like Ranieri, Conte, Ancelotti, Sarri, Allegri to players like Buffon, Bonucci, Totti, Del Piero etc. All have demeanor of a gentleman. Ranieri is a great guy, hope he manages another PL club.
Toni13
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Nice gesture from a really decent man
Adrianer
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Well done Claudio, a very nice, respectful gesture indeed.
Jabonero
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We will never witness a bigger and most encapsulating fairy tale than the season Leicester City won the Premier League.
happinese
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I'm a Liverpool fan but for me Leicester winning the title still ranks as one of the greatest moments in modern English football.
society
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Leicester's board & players treated Ranieri abominably after what he'd done for them. That he comes back with such humility says a lot more about him than the club.