Now Schmeichel Snr says the roles have been reversed and he looks up to his son as HIS hero these days.
He also prays he never has to find out if he has the raw courage to follow in Kasper’s footsteps.
On October 27, Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s AugustaWestland AW169 helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium.
Kasper, who captained City in the 1-1 draw with West Ham on that day, was waving off Vichai when the helicopter plunged from the night sky before erupting into a fireball.
Talking about the night his son’s friend and Foxes owner died alongside four others is still an ordeal for the giant Dane who choked back tears as he revealed how his son risked his own life in a brave but futile rescue attempt.
With his voice little more than whisper, 55-year-old Schmeichel said: “You don’t run towards a burning helicopter but that’s what he did.
“That speaks volumes as to my son’s personality. I still can’t believe it happened.
“Kasper had friends over from Denmark and they saw it leave, which is something they always did. Everybody loves to see a helicopter this close. But to witness that… ”
This giant of the game was staring into the distance his mind re-running a mental picture of his son’s heroic actions. Again.
He confessed: “His instincts is what makes me most proud . . . and scared. Like I say, who runs towards a burning helicopter?
“I wasn’t there, Kasper phoned me at home. He was still at the stadium. He never left, he was there all night.
“Not only did Leicester lose their owner, their mentor, the guy that was driving the culture. Vichai was such a big part of them winning the championship.
“I really do believe that football lost someone who had enormous value to the sport.
“The respect that the world of football showed just proves that he was one of them, one of their own.”
The respect Schmeichel senior has for his son — the baby-faced kid in the Manchester United goalie’s kit whose childhood playground used to be Old Trafford’s Theatre of Dreams — has gone off the scale since then.
He said: “Kasper emerged as a true leader, when leadership was what the club was looking for, although I don’t think you benefit from any situation like that.”
The tragedy has brought father and son even closer together.
Schmeichel added: “I speak to Kasper every day, every single day. We talk about all kinds of stuff. We talk about my life, we talk about his life. Whatever is happening.
“Of course, in that situation, that is what you talk about. And you try to help him and guide him through as best you can for the life experience that you have.
“But there is nothing that has prepared you for being a witness to that or being the dad of someone, or being the CEO or the director for the club after such a tragedy.
“I knew Vichai, I had met him on many, many occasions. It was a terrible, terrible thing to happen.
“But there were also so many incredible moments and scenes that made you think this is a proper football club. I am very proud that my son is there.”
Schmeichel will recall more, albeit very different, proud moments this weekend as United travel to face Arsenal.
Just 42 days separated the two greatest games of his career. One he cannot remember a thing about — the other he will NEVER forget.
Schmeichel delights in every detail of their epic 1999 extra-time FA Cup semi-final replay win over Arsenal.
David Beckham’s swerving 25-yard opener, Dennis Bergkamp’s equaliser from further out, Roy Keane’s red, Phil Neville conceding a stoppage-time penalty and then when he dramatically saved from Bergkamp.
Then the jaw-dropping finale as Ryan Giggs galloped around five tackles at Villa Park before slamming past David Seaman.
It was a fitting way to settle the Cup tie of the century, between an Arsenal side on course for a double Double and Fergie’s United who went on to complete a historic Treble.
Schmeichel’s save was the pivotal moment with the keeper adding: “When it was given I’m thinking there was still 10 minutes left. But there wasn’t. We were already in stoppage time.
“People assume I researched where Dennis would put his penalty but I hadn’t. There was no coach with an iPad showing me his previous penalties – I’m happy they didn’t.
“It was just down to luck . . . pick a side and go for it!”
Schmeichel soon had another great game to talk about.
A few weeks later, his iconic cartwheel celebration in the Nou Camp marked the end of Bayern Munich’s hopes as United turned the course of history upside down.
Trailing to Mario Basler’s fifth-minute free-kick United owned injury time as Schmeichel’s presence in the box spooked the Germans.
Teddy Sheringham’s 91st-minute equaliser was followed by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s winner to spark the keeper’s celebratory spin.
Amazingly the Dane only realised what he had done much later, when he watched replays.
He confessed: “I have no memory of that night in the Nou Camp at all.
“I have lots of memories in the run up — but nothing of the match itself. Seriously, my brain just overloaded!”
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