Southampton

Ronald Koeman to discuss Southampton future

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 15 May 2016

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman reveals that he will discuss his future at the club next week after steering the Saints to a top-six finish in the Premier League.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has said that he will discuss his future with the club at some point next week.

The Saints secured a top-six finish in the Premier League courtesy of a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace in their final game of the season this afternoon, guaranteeing them Europa League football next term.

The 53-year-old only has one year remaining on his current contract, and having steered the club to record points tallies in both of his seasons at the helm so far, he is keen to extend his stay at St Mary's.

Asked when discussions over his future will take place, Koeman told reporters: "Next week - after this weekend - I don't know when. I'd like to stay here, I have still one year of contract, and from the start my understanding with the fans was incredibly good. Of course, it's all about the results for the manager, but I think the support from the fans, the respect of the fans - from everybody at the club - is amazing.

"But the club likes to talk about the future. I had always in Holland a one-year contract. I'm not so worried about the future. If the club likes to know about the future after next season, okay that's what we'll talk about. Our finishing this season is stronger than last season. What we did this season, it's maybe more than the maximum we can do as a team, and a big compliment to the players.

"The difference was we had really tough competition between the players, and the strengths of the team. That's the difference between my first season and the second season, the substitutes and the bench are really first-team players, more than last year. We were very clinical [against Palace] and had some luck on the shoulders. We did our job, 4-1, three points, and West Ham, Liverpool, and maybe Manchester United missed a chance."

Southampton currently sit fifth in the table, but would drop to a final position of sixth should Manchester United avoid defeat in their rearranged match against Bournemouth.