Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has urged his side to forget last season’s Premier League triumph insisting defending the title is the club’s biggest challenge.
The Sky Blues won their first league title in 44 years in dramatic circumstances with a final day 3-2 win over QPR seeing them finish ahead of rivals Manchester United on goal difference.
However, Mancini told City TV that they must look long-term and begin working even harder to defend their crown.
“We did a good job for the last two years and I hope we can do a better one in the next five,” Mancini said. “But we cannot rest or start thinking that because we won the title that we are the best. It is more difficult to win the title when you are defending champions.
“We start again as if from nothing - we must forget that we won the title. Every team will want to beat us and we must work harder than ever.”
City have had a less than impressive pre-season so far including a defeat to Saudi club Al Hilal and goalless draw with Dynamo Dresden.
Manchester United are expected to again provide a strong challenge for the title, along with a Chelsea side who have been bolstered by a series of new signings.