Koeman to discuss Southampton future next week
Ronald Koeman has revealed he plans to discuss his future with Southampton’s board next week after his team secured a top-six Premier League finish with their 4-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Sunday’s victory in their last fixture of the season took them up to fifth place, and they could yet remain there if Manchester United fail to get the result they require when their abandoned home game with Bournemouth is rearranged.
To finish three points off the top four represents a significant success for Koeman, particularly given a poor mid-season run left the Saints in danger of joining the battle against relegation, and only highlights the strengths that are reported to be interesting managerless Everton.
The Dutchman has one year remaining on his contract at Southampton, but after two successful seasons since he succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in difficult circumstances, the club could seek to extend his stay, and asked when he will discuss his future, the 53-year-old responded: “Next week – after this weekend – (but) 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.”