Leicester City manager insists that Jose Mourinho can become the new Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

The Italian manager defied 5000/1 last season to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in 132 years with the Foxes.

Ranieri believes his side are going to be outcasts this time when they make their debut in the Champions League this campaign and the arrival of new managers at three of the league’s biggest clubs.

The former Monaco bosses compatriot Antonio Conte has taken over at Chelsea, while Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are now installed on opposite sides of the Manchester divide, reports SkySports.

‘Mourinho can be the new Ferguson,’ Ranieri said.

‘He will not stay 26 years, but he will leave his imprint.

‘Antonio and Chelsea are made for each other. Guardiola seems to be the right man in the right place.’

Speaking on his aims for Leicester Ranieri said: ‘The basic concept is to start from scratch. We have won the title, we accomplished something perhaps unique, but now we turn the page.

‘If at the beginning of last season, the bookmakers quoted 5000/1 on our chances of the title, this time, it’s 6000/1.

‘The goal to start with is the threshold of 40 points to survive. Then we will raise the bar: getting in the top 10, the Europa League, a place in the Champions League and maybe win a trophy from the five in which we will play.’

The former Chelsea manager will defend their Premier League title without N’Golo Kante, who has joined Conte at Chelsea on a five-year deal.