Ronald Koeman has insisted that Leicester’s success this season does not increase the pressure for further progress at Saints, but believes a top four finish can still be achieved in the near future.

Up until this season it was almost unthinkable that a club from outside the traditional top four or five would break into the Champions League spots, let alone win the title.

However, Leicester have given hope to clubs across the country, with proof you can compete despite far smaller financial resources.

Their story is a one-off though, and Koeman feels it shouldn’t be used as a yardstick for other clubs like Saints.

He said: “We have enough pressure in Southampton because what we showed last year already with Pochettino in the first season and also this season we have shown we are a stable club and can fight for more than the middle of the table.

“But it is difficult because everyone knows it has to be perfect to win the title in the Premier League.

“You need no European football, no injuries in important players, need the big teams to struggle a little bit and that happened this year but it doesn’t happen every season.”

Koeman does though believe talk of a potential top four finish in the future is realistic for Saints.

“It is more normal and an achievement for a club like Southampton,” he insisted.

Koeman thinks Saints need to win all of their three remaining games – against Man City at St Mary’s this weekend, and then away to Tottenham and at home to Crystal Palace - to qualify for Europe this season.

However, he is adamant it has been a good campaign no matter whether they make it or not.

“Frustrated, not,” he said of this season. “Because we have made several mistakes in our away games that we need three wins out of Man City home, Tottenham away and Crystal Palace home and that is difficult.

“It is possible though.

“If we finish on a good way and finishing after the last game against Crystal Palace at home then we can be proud again about this second season.

“We had some good football, some good wins at home.

“Maybe we lost too many points away from home but we have some big games to play, the first this Sunday against Man City.

“It’s good and it’s good to show that we still are strong and we show the spirit and belief to finish this season on a good way.”