Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin thinks Leicester could be a one off

06 May 2016 08:53

Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin has warned clubs outside the traditional Barclays Premier League elite not to get carried away by Leicester's success.

Leicester's shock title triumph has changed the landscape of English football - for one season at least - with the unfashionable Foxes stunning the Premier League's established order.

But Guidolin expects normal service to be resumed next season when the wealthiest clubs flex their muscles.

And the Italian's message will resonate with Swansea's weekend opponents West Ham, who will aim to build on a positive first season under Slaven Bilic after moving to their new Olympic Stadium home this summer.

"In the future the money in the Premier League goes to all teams, so a good squad, good manager and club can make a difference," said Swansea head coach Guidolin.

"It is possible to have a project and play for important targets.

"But it is not easy in the Premier League, you can do it one time (like Leicester) after 20 years.

"I won't call it a miracle because it is a true story for Leicester.

"A team can play for third, fourth or fifth, but to win it is very difficult."

Swansea finish their season at West Ham and at home to Manchester City after finally securing their top-flight status last weekend.

The 3-1 victory over Liverpool took them to 43 points and Guidolin, who has won six and drawn three of his 14 matches since being appointed in January, was delighted that he had overhauled Swansea's lowest Premier League points haul.

That mark remains 42 points two seasons ago and Guidolin, having achieved one of his end-of-season targets, has promised Swansea will not relax in their final two games with West Ham and Manchester City both chasing Champions League qualification.

"Freedom is a dangerous word in football," said Guidolin.

"You have to stay focused because the Premier League is very difficult.

"We play against teams with important targets and it better for us to have this problem than Sam Allardyce at Sunderland, Rafa Benitez at Newcastle or Alex Neil at Norwich.

"The win against Liverpool was a good moment for myself and the team.

"I was relieved that we delivered our aim to secure Premier League safety - it was an important personal target for me.

"The players were happy but our season is not finished, we still have two very important games to play."

Source: PA