EDDIE Howe congratulated Leicester on winning the Premier League before advising optimistic Cherries fans to avoid comparisons between the two clubs.

The Foxes stunned the football world by being crowned champions of England in what has been described as the greatest sporting upset of the modern era.

Leicester, who were rated as 5,000-1 outsiders to win the title, narrowly escaped relegation in their first season back in the top flight after winning the Championship in 2014.

And their heroics have prompted some Cherries supporters to suggest Howe’s team could repeat the fairytale having preserved their top-tier status in a memorable debut campaign.

But boss Howe is adamant the Premier League will be a tougher proposition in 2016-17 – with the big guns showing their teeth and Cherries having to exceed this season’s exploits if they are to again hold their own.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “I would urge real caution when people bring up the story of Leicester. We are not Leicester.

“I think it has been incredible what Leicester have done and an amazing achievement. But I think it is very rare that it will happen in football and we need to remember our journey.

“One of our key strengths this season was the fact everybody at the club embraced our first year in the Premier League. Everything was new and we were excited by the challenges we faced.

“We need to take that same mentality into next season because it is going to be a lot harder for us and the challenges will be far greater.”

Howe believes new managerial appointments at Manchester City and Chelsea will make both clubs serious contenders and expects Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool to all mount sustained challenges.

The Cherries boss also thinks the division will be fortified by the addition of former club Burnley, together with the two other teams who will be promoted from the Championship.

Howe added: “I am in no doubt. The big clubs are going to come back with all guns blazing.

“You will have new managers going into Manchester City and Chelsea, and Jurgen Klopp will get to work with his team during a full pre-season at Liverpool. Tottenham have been very strong this season and Arsenal will come back stronger.

“It has been a year of surprises and, with what Leicester have done, I think we will see the top clubs look to put that right.

“The teams coming up are going to be strong as well and it is going to make the league really great next season. The quality will be really high and we will need to be aware of all this and make sure we are ready for it.

“This season will go down as one of the greatest in Premier League history because of Leicester’s story. But, next season, it will be even harder.”