Thread by @BBCRLSport

Claude Puel has arrived for his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Cardiff on Saturday.

We'll bring you reaction shortly.

Claude Puel started his press conference by saying a few words.

“Before we start, I would like just to say some words.

This has been without doubt one, of the hardest weeks in the history of this football club. The tragic loss of five lives have left us all numb with sadness and shock.

Our prayers and love remain with Vichai’s family and all the other families who have lost loved ones. Vichai made Leicester City into what it is. He made it a family, and he made it a dream.

He invested in the club, he invested in the city and he invested in the people.

He was truly loved by everyone inside and outside the club. Personally, it was a privilege to work for him, and I will keep the belief he showed in me and the great moments we shared.

Seeing all of the messages, flowers and shirts outside the stadium this week shows the amount of lives he touched.

He leaves a behind a legacy that will be remembered forever and a vision that the club, and myself as manager, will take forward with us.

This week I’ve never been prouder to be manager of this football club. In such difficult circumstances, the togetherness shown by the whole club, from the staff, players and fans has shown what a special football club.

Playing football has not been at the front of our minds this week. But for this weekend, and all matches thereafter we will play to honour and remember a man who did so much for our club.

We will continue the Leicester City he built."

Claude Puel: “I was in my office with my family and friends and my staff. Mike [Stowell] came and gave me the news. We were devastated. We cannot understand what has happened. It’s not possible to learn this news"

Claude Puel: “We remained there for a lot of time, together. Without the possibility to share words. It was silence. After we saw Kasper, I think he was the only player remaining a long time after the game. It was bad moments. Difficult”

Q: Kasper ran out to the burning wreckage. Is that right?

Claude Puel: “I don’t want to give all the details of course. Just for Kasper. He saw a lot of things. Kasper, like other players, are devastated. All my squad have a lot of sadness and upset"

“On Monday we had a meeting at the training centre, to speak. To share our feelings. It’s important not to forget, but it was to talk between ourselves and to share this difficult moment. We tried to manage this time in the right direction. Just to listen”

“It was a long day, but it was important to share and listen to all people. The players and the staff in the club. It was important to listen to them, and to propose for the players different possibilities”

“All people have different reactions, and need different help. It was important to understand all people because as I’ve said, they were devastated. After, we had a meeting with Top and Vichai’s wife”

“I was impressed with the strength, and the dignity of his wife, of his son. I would like to thank them, because they shared their soul with us like a family. And the fans also. I would like to thank them and give them our best thoughts and feelings”

Q: How are the players? Are they ready to play football?

Claude Puel: “I gave them the opportunity. It was a fantastic feeling to see all my players on the pitch, I have 27 players in the squad, and all of them together are ready to give their best to remember the owner”

“It’s important to share and remember this moment together. To give our best. The players, the staff, the club, Top took the decision to play this game against Cardiff as a group. It will be the right one”

“Step by step, we have to build and move on, step-by-step. We have a lot of responsibility now to give our best and continue his work and his dream. We can’t do that, without moving together and to fight together. To honour him”

“The game is not important. The result is not important. Our desire and action and pride to give our best, and to honour our Chairman is the most important thing. Our conviction and focus will be ready”

Claude Puel on the funeral of Khun Vichai: “I want to give the opportunity for players and staff to go. We will see the possibility and logistics, I don’t know at the moment. All the players want to go and support his family. His wife, Top”

“On Monday when we paid tributes, and we saw all the flowers. It’s fantastic, but I’m not surprised, because he was a nice man with warmth and kindness. And his ambition. He changed the life of a lot of people”

“He was close to the people. All the time. We can see this with all these flowers. It’s like a family. With the fans. It’s fantastic, and it’s normal to have all these good feelings around him”

Q: How difficult a week has it been for you?

Claude Puel: “It’s the hardest moment in my career. My feeling is to be close to all people in the club. The players and the staff. It’s difficult. I’m touched and devastated like other people”

“I have a responsibility to move forward, and bring my support and to look forward. But it’s difficult, because there is a lot of emotion. But we need to do this together”

@StringerSport - How has any grief counselling helped you, your staff and players?

Claude Puel: “A lot of people are available to help the players and the staff. The reaction of this event is different, and we have to understand all people can have a different reaction"

@StringerSport @StringerSport - Did you speak to him at all after the game?

Claude Puel: “I didn’t see him after the game. I saw him before. He was happy with a smile and we discussed a lot in my office. It was a pleasure. We cannot imagine this thing that happened after”

@StringerSport @StringerSport - What will be your greatest memory of him?

Claude Puel: “I think it was his spirit, his kindness in all situations. He was close to people but he wanted to please everyone all the time. He was generous, warm. He gave rewards, because he wanted people to be happy”

@StringerSport “Personally, he would invite me to Ascot and Polo. I met Prince William, and Prince Harry with him. He shares all these things with people and his staff. I took his boat! He loaned it to me for 3 days to take my family away”

@StringerSport “He had a fantastic restaurant, and it was crazy. We always shared fantastic moments. They put us in their family, that’s another special thing about him”

@StringerSport Claude Puel also confirmed Daniel Amartey has had surgery, and it was successful. But he won’t be available for four months.

Everyone else is fit, and Matty James has began training with the side again.

Claude stressed the mental fitness of his players was good.

@StringerSport You can hear more from Claude Puel on The Boot Room this evening from 6pm with Ian Stringer and the Birch.

bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06…