Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that the club can do even better next season.
The Saints eventually finished seventh this year, despite being tipped for a relegation fight at the beginning of the campaign.
If Arsenal beat Aston Villa and win the FA Cup next weekend then the South Coast club will play in the Europa League next season, and Koeman is hopeful that they get the chance.
He told the club's official website: "You don't get something for that seventh. We hope we get the chance to play for that qualification for Europe. Even when you have to play the qualification, the last round, that will make this season a special one.
"We know what we did this season was the maximum. It was that quality you saw today in some actions that is really top quality and we have to improve to do it better than we did this season.
"It will be difficult next season, the expectation will be higher, but we can be proud about this season of Southampton."
Koeman's side finished the campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.
Charlie Bennett
