Claudio Ranieri: 'The second year will be tougher for Leicester City'

New Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has said that Leicester City face a tougher task to stay in the Premier League this season than they did last year.

Under previous manager Nigel Pearson, the Foxes won seven of their final nine games to climb out of the relegation zone and finish 14th in their first season back in the top flight after promotion from the Championship.

Ranieri, who took over from Pearson last month, insists that it will be harder to avoid the drop this year.

"It is more difficult in the Premier League in the second year than the first year," the 63-year-old told reporters.

"[Leicester] were the best team in the league for the last eight matches. I saw one man, together. They pressed, played quickly and fought - it was fantastic to watch.

"I know it is difficult because of pre-season but slowly I want to show that team - first of all the heart, the fight and then the quality."

Leicester host Sunderland in their opening game of new Premier League season on Saturday.