Saints boss Ronald Koeman believes fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat will keep Sunderland fighting "to the last second to stay in the Premier League" - but will be out to make his former manager's job a bit harder tomorrow.

Koeman, 52, was part of Advocaat's Holland squad at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

The 67-year-old ex-Rangers boss was parachuted into the Stadium of Light to try to keep the Black Cats up, which looks set to be one of his toughest challenges with Sunderland currently third bottom, although with a match in hand.

"He is a very experienced manager, but it is very difficult to change a lot in a short time," said Koeman.

"Sunderland are really in a difficult situation, but always you have surprises in the last part of the season with the results.

"At least Advocaat will give them the right fighting spirit to fight to the last second to stay in the Premier League.

"It is all about confidence. You can talk to the players, to give them this confidence, but between the lines, the players have to play."

Koeman added: "He is a good experienced coach and a nice person. After Saturday I wish him the best."

Former Feyenoord boss Koeman has impressed in his first campaign in English football, pushing the Saints up into Champions League places before some inconsistencies at the turn of the year saw them drop to seventh place.

However, Southampton are still very much in contention for European football next season, only a point behind both Tottenham and Liverpool heading into the final four matches.

Koeman would love to have the challenge of juggling both a Europa League and domestic schedule for the 2015/16 campaign.

"I hope that will be the problem for next season, I like to go into Europe because it will be good publicity for the club, the players and also the fans," he said.

"We know that the Premier League will be more difficult because you play a lot, but that will be a problem for next season and we will do everything to reach European football."

While Koeman accepts it was always a big ask to sustain their hopes of Champions League qualification, the Dutchman believes foundations are in place at St Mary's Stadium to challenge over the long term.

"We have tried to make steps. This season, Southampton has been playing well and is in the first eight teams of the Premier League," he said.

"Always you like to do it on a better way, maybe regular European football and the highest place in that is Champions League, but it is still a dream. Maybe in part of this season it was maybe possible, but it is very difficult to keep that level the whole season and fight against the big ones."