CLAUDIO RANIERI, the Leicester City manager, insisted the team's "heart and soul" won them the English Premier League title and that his club's historic achievement would never be repeated.
The Italian's goal for next season is not for his 5000-1 odds-defying champions to defend their trophy but rather set his sights on finishing in the top ten and building on what already had been achieved.
This was the much-travelled 64-year-old's first league trophy after a long career of near misses and was adamant that not even his own team could replicate what will sure go down as the greatest story in English football.
“This is a year that cannot be repeated, next year we'll try to fight for a top-10 place," said the Leicester manager. "We must continue to grow and to do well.
"Do I think Leicester can do this again? No. I don’t think we can but we want to continue to build. When I came here, the project was to build a foundation and to fight for the Europa League in three to four years. This season is out of our project but of course now our foundations are very strong.
"Next season we will fight to finish in the top ten, to continue the progression. We want a good campaign in Europe and in the cups, and we want to be sure next season that we are safe, and then to do something more."
Ranieri, who was in Italy when Tottenham's draw at Chelsea clinched the title for Leicester, returned to England yesterday and bought his squad a meal at his favourite restaurant in the city.
The former Roma and Chelsea manager was keen to praise his squad of cheap transfers and players let go by other clubs who have stunned world football.
"The players, the heart, the soul and how they play," he said when asked the secret of the season. "My message to the fans is now to keep going, we want to improve a lot.
"I never expected this when I arrived. I'm a pragmatic man, I just wanted to win match after match and help my players to improve week after week. Never did I think too much about where it would take us.
"The players have been fantastic. Their focus, their determination, their spirit has made this possible. Every game they fight for each other and I love to see this in my players. They deserve to be champions."
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