But Puel feels the Foxes were caught out in the aftermath of their success.

"It was a fantastic job from the team, staff and all the club," he said.

"It came right because all the things were in the right place. It was spirit, a journey.

"I had experience too when I was managing Lille, we went from 14th one season, and the season after, with the same squad and little experience, we finished second behind Lyon.

"Then we played in the Champions League with Manchester United. We made a fantastic journey over two or three seasons.

"The most difficult thing for me was to follow, continue in this way. It's something we could not prepare for.

"I think Leicester could not prepare for what followed next. It was not normal to win the title like this.

"Now it's my job to put in place the structure, step by step, the squad is improving and finding again the possibility to compete with the good clubs.

"Once is a success, afterwards it's difficult for people because they think it's easy to win like that.

"No, it's a lot of work to prepare, the feeling for Leicester was fantastic, but afterwards it's very difficult to manage that situation

"No-one is prepared for what follows."

And the Frenchman believes expectation levels are still higher at the King Power Stadium because of their 2016 victory.

"Yes, of course," he said. "Because a lot of people think it's easy to perform and win the title, to play at the top of the table.

"I believe in strong work, structure and quality to improve the club and put in place a project.

"I want to develop all of the club and play with consistency. That is a good project."

Ranieri returned to the Premier League for a third spell last month when he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham.

He also managed Chelsea between 2000 and 2004 and has earned admiration from Puel.

"He knows the situation in the Premier League, he knows the difficulties. Claudio is a true gentleman," said Puel.

"He has a lot of experience at other clubs, with different players, the culture.

"It's incredible he continues in this way – like a drug.

"Because he likes this, I don't know if I'll be managing at his age – but it is an example for a lot of other managers."

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