Ronald Koeman intends to keep an English core to his Saints side.

The club’s success last season was built partly on a strong domestic flavour to the team, and the new manager intends to carry that on.

“Yes, it’s important, like any league in another country, that you keep that mentality in the squad,” he said.

“Foreign players, ok, we need that, because they are talented and good players, but the body of the club, of the team, has to be English.”

Koeman also intends to continue the Saints philosophy of promoting from the academy and giving young players a chance – something he did so well at his previous club, Feyenoord.

“There’s a lot of potential (at the club),” he said.

“You see that in three or four days.

“We have great talents who have to show still all their qualities, but I’m the manager and the club is in this philosophy that they look at opportunities to come into the first team.”