Mark Hughes has claimed that Southampton will come back stronger next season after avoiding relegation from the Premier League last term.
The Welshman took over from Mauricio Pellegrino in March and helped the Saints survive in the top flight, subsequently earning himself a new three-year deal at St Mary's Stadium.
With assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki having also signed long-term deals at Southampton, Hughes is confident that the south coast club can go from strength to strength in 2018-19.
"We are really looking forward to the new season now and it is about building straight from the off, making sure we are ready to go, hit the ground running, all the old cliches - but they all apply," Hughes said in a video on Southampton's official Twitter feed.
"We have a group here that is talented, that has real potential and real growth in the group as well, because they are all still young in terms of years. They will all benefit from what we all went through last year. I think we will learn from that and be better again this year."
Hughes won three of his 10 games in charge, including a crucial clash at relegation rivals Swansea City in the penultimate match of the campaign.
Giuseppe Labellarte
