If you are a supporter of Leicester City Football Club and enjoy staying fully up to date with on-field action, as well as developments away from the pitch, then you’ve come to the right place.
All well-informed Foxes fans will know exactly who LCFC director of football Jon Rudkin is — not to mention his unfavourable reputation and why many City supporters are keen to see him removed from his position.
This is not a complex or lengthy tale to follow. Essentially, Rudkin began his journey as a youth coach with the East Midlands club several years ago.
He gradually climbed the club’s internal ladder and eventually became closely aligned with the owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, acting as their key representative in England. Rudkin seemingly oversaw almost all UK operations for The King Power International Group.
It is believed Rudkin’s responsibilities extend beyond football, with involvement in another sport within the company. The influential Leicester figure also reportedly manages, or previously managed, the ‘King Power team’s’ stables, with their horses said to be kept at Kingscler.
As is clear, immense trust has been placed in the Englishman; his authority at Filbert Way is unmatched. One could argue that he holds the real influence, with only chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (Khun Top) capable of changing that direction.
Just look at Leicester’s current struggles for clear evidence. Rudkin appears to remain a central figure behind ongoing football-related issues, as outlined below.
Footballer makes negative claim about Leicester City director of football Jon Rudkin
If you were unaware, LCFC’s King Power owners also control Belgian side Oud-Heverlee Leuven, commonly known as OH Leuven — often referred to as a sister club.
It seems Rudkin also wields considerable influence over the Belgian outfit. Fortunate for them!
Leicester, or more accurately its hierarchy, have been accused of obstructing Standard Liège striker Thomas Henry’s proposed move to Swansea City. The City executive was reportedly pleaded with to approve the transfer:
“I had agreed to go to Swansea. The coach at the time called me in March; it all happened very early. The problem was, I had scored 21 goals. I had increased my market value,” he said.
“It wasn’t Leuven who handled the transfer; it was John Rudkin, Leicester’s sporting director The transfer didn’t go through. Swansea made two offers, I begged Rudkin to accept, but it didn’t happen, Swansea withdrew from negotiations.” – [Henry, via Sport Witness]