LONDON -- Guus Hiddink says there is no reason that "fearless" Leicester City should not build on their miraculous rise and compete for the Premier League title again next season.
Leicester require only three points from their final three matches to complete a stunning campaign by claiming the trophy for the first time, and will look to secure the title against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
There are questions as to whether Leicester are capable of maintaining their place among the Premier League elite next season, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all tipped to strengthen their squads significantly this summer in the wake of disappointing domestic campaigns.
There are also suggestions that newly crowned PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, along with fellow Leicester stars Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante, could be the subject of transfer interest this summer.
But Hiddink -- whose Chelsea side can confirm Leicester's title victory in any case if they beat Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Monday night -- believes nothing is stopping the Foxes from keeping their best talent and establishing themselves as a more lasting force at the top of English football.
"They deserve a lot of credit for the way they do things, especially when the pressure is coming on from the outside world," said Hiddink, who will be replaced by Antonio Conte this summer.
"Pressure can make a team implode, but this team is fearless and they don't get passive. That's a very important quality for this team and the management.
"If you are No. 1 you are a worthy champion. People abroad say that [Leicester's rise] is refreshing for English football as well. It's admired and respected worldwide."
Asked if Leicester will be able to keep their stars this summer, Hiddink replied: "It's difficult for me to answer. It depends on whether their ambition is the same as this year.
"The established clubs will react desperately but with the means all the clubs are getting now [with the lucrative new Premier League TV deal from 2016-17], they can be more competitive than a one-season happening."
For much of the season the contrasting fortunes of Leicester and Chelsea appeared a direct role reversal, with the Blues hovering above the bottom three until the departure of Jose Mourinho in December, and Hiddink insists that relegation was a serious concern within the club.
"You have seen a big club like Newcastle fighting to get out all season," he added. "It's difficult because when you are in this situation you have to break a little bit with the previous year. On one hand I had to get them more confident, on the other maybe some were a bit complacent, so we had to make some moves.
"Is there danger when you are in 16th, 17th position? Yes, and we had to be careful that we didn't get dropped."