Ronald Koeman believes Saints deserve to go straight into the group stages of next season’s Europa League after a brilliant year at St Mary’s.

Saints are guaranteed European football thanks to finishing either fifth or sixth depending on how Manchester United’s rearranged game with Bournemouth goes.

If the Cherries defeat United then Saints will end the season fifth and go straight into the group stages.

If United get at least a point then Saints will finish sixth and then will have to wait until the FA Cup final to discover whether they will enter the competition in the group stages, or have to go through qualification as they did this season.

Koeman said: “That’s a good experience for everybody (Europa League last season). It was the first time for most of the players how you need to deal in the beginning of the season and also for us the pre-season.

“That’s a different one if you need to play end of July.

“Of course we hope we go straight to the group stage. That will be perfect and I think we deserve that.

“What we do after a special season last year, what I call this season I don’t know. Even more special.

“Great football, great players and a big support of the fans.”

Koeman will this week sit down with executive director Les Reed for talks that could decide the manager’s long term future.

Koeman has just a year left on his Saints contract and insisted his future is unaffected by European qualification.

“That’s not depending European football, that’s depending the ambition of the club,” he said.

“Of course I like to stay here. I have still one year of contract and from the start the understanding with the fans was incredibly good.

“Of course it’s all about the results for a manager but the support of the fans, the respect of the fans and everybody in the club is amazing.

“Ok, the club likes to talk about the future.

“I had always in Holland one year contract and I’m not so worried about the future because I have one year contract but if the club likes to know about the future after the next season we will have a talk about it.”

He added: “It’s always important not only for players but everybody, the technical staff, the medical staff, if you can play for Europe it’s different.

“You know and you understand the Premier League may be more tough if you play on Thursday but we like to play in the Europa League stage.

“We had the chance last season, we didn’t reach, I hope we go straight and if not we will fight to get into the group stage.”