Ronald Koeman open to Southampton contract extension

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said he was open to staying at the club beyond the three-year contract due to expire in the summer of 2016.

There has been mounting speculation that he is the front-runner in taking on the Netherlands national team job after initially being passed up for the opportunity before their shambolic Euro 2016 qualification campaign which has seen Guus Hiddink and Danny Blind struggle at the Holland helm.

Koeman was asked if he could envisage staying at the club longer than the planned three years in Saints' first fans forum for over six years on Monday evening as 500 fans packed out the Mick Channon suite at St. Mary's.

When asked what would it take for the Dutchman to sign a new deal at the club, Koeman said: "Be happy, as I am now. That means that to work with a great club, to work with good people, to develop the team and still to have the belief between the technical staff and the players to go on.

"That's the keyword, to continue or not. But it is my second season, we have time, we have time to think about it.

"It's too early to make decisions about that and the ambition is to continue and even make it better in how we play and get results and try to achieve what we did last year and the ambition is to win a title.

"It is difficult we know, but if Aston Villa can play in the FA Cup final, why can't Southampton? That will be great and we will fight for that."

This is encouraging news for Saints fans considering Koeman is renowned for staying loyal in seeing out his contractual obligations, before leaving once his contract expires.