Nigel Pearson is staying put, say Leicester City's owners

Leicester City's owners have thrown their full support behind Nigel Pearson and branded media speculation about his position as unwarranted and inaccurate.

In a joint statement, exclusively revealed by the Mercury today, chairman Vichai Raksriaksorn and vice-chairman Aiywatt Raksriaksorn have reiterated Pearson is key to the club's long-term success after reports City had been actively searching for his replacement.

Reports suggested City had held a meeting with former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp about succeeding Pearson, but the Raksriaksorns have moved to set the record straight.

"Since our arrival in Leicester, it has always been our stated aim to deliver a long- term sustainable platform for success," the statement said.

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call...

Insure365

View details

Print voucher

Cheap Van Insurance For 17,18 & 19 Year Old Drivers - Call Insure365 01782 898188, Free Legal Protection Cover Included valued at £25.00!

Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer

Contact: 01782 898188

Valid until: Monday, June 24 2013

"We fully accept the football club is constantly in the public eye and, as such, will be a constant subject of media scrutiny and debate.

"For that reason, we adopt a policy in which we do not feel compelled to respond to a media agenda.

"However, given the recent unwarranted and inaccurate speculation in relation to our manager, we wish to set the record straight in the most unequivocal manner.

"Nigel has, and continues to retain, our total support in helping us to deliver our stated long-term aim of achieving footballing success.

"Nigel is absolutely key to what we are trying to achieve. In the summer, we again invested heavily both in terms of senior playing recruitment and in the long-term development across all levels of the footballing structure of the club.

"This reflects our continued faith and support in the football management of the club. Our appetite and desire to achieve success with Nigel as our manager remains undiminished."

The Raksriaksorns also called for everyone involved in the club, especially the supporters, to remain united in helping City reach the Premier League.

"One of the great qualities Nigel possesses is his ability to nurture a close-knit environment in which the players have been able to thrive," the statement said.

"That feeling spans the whole football club. We are a football club united behind our collective ambition to succeed.

"Like all supporters of the club, we have been hugely encouraged by recent successes on the pitch.

"Delivering success will only be achieved by all of us, from owners, to manager, to players and supporters, pulling together in the same direction.

"After excellent away victories at Middlesbrough and Huddersfield, Saturday marks an opportunity for us all to again join together and create the best possible environment to help Nigel and the players continue to deliver more results.

"We hope our statement clarifies the situation and ensures that all Leicester City supporters can now concentrate on Saturday's game."

Pearson himself welcomed the statement.

"I returned to the club nearly a year ago because of the long- term vision the owners have for Leicester City and I share their ambition," he said.

"Earlier in the week, I dismissed the speculation as nothing more than a minor irritant. My focus is, has, and always will be, to deliver results on the pitch.

"I enjoy an excellent working relationship with the owners and directors of the football club and all my energies, and those of my staff, are totally focused on Saturday's home game against Bristol City."