Koeman proud of "amazing season"

Koeman, who joined last summer, guided Saints to seventh in the league amassing the club’s record Premier League points tally of 60 in the process.

Saints still have to wait for the outcome of Saturday’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa to find out if they have qualified for next season’s Europa League, but Koeman says he’s proud of what has been achieved.

“It was an amazing season what we did,” Koeman told youtube.com/southamptonfc.

“I’m very proud but that makes it more difficult for next season. The expectation on the team will be higher than before but we believe to keep going and keep doing what we are doing.

“In a personal way I enjoy very much to be part of Southampton and the Premier League. It’s the best and strongest competition in the world.

VIDEO: After a season in charge, @RonaldKoeman says he's enjoying being a part of #SaintsFC and the @premierleague. https://t.co/4Jz8BKr9HV

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 28, 2015

“I think the club is still growing. If we reach Europe it will be different for the players, the coaches, the fans and different for the club.

“You have to see that and learn that. It will be a great achievement if we play European football.”

After difficult spells outside of Holland with Valencia and Benfica, Koeman says he was confident from day one that it would go well for him at Southampton.

“Always in life you make decisions and you don’t know what will happen,” Koeman added. “Okay, the Valencia period was a bad, short, difficult period.

“But from the first day with Southampton the feeling was okay. It’s a nice club with a good structure.

“I have that knowledge from Holland where we are used to working with young players to develop them. That together is a very good connection.”