RONALD Koeman is chasing a slice of Saints Premier League history.

He has been shortlisted for the January manager of the month award along with his St Mary's predecessor Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Slaven Bilic (West Ham).

Should Koeman win, the Dutchman will become the first Saints boss to be named Premier League Manager of the Month on three separate occasions.

And if the award is decided purely on league points gained last month, Koeman will win it.

Saints banked nine points from their four games in January, compared to Pellegrini's eight and seven each for Pochettino and Bilic.

If cup results are taken into consideration, Koeman won't win it.

During January Saints crashed out of the FA Cup, while his three managerial rivals all progressed through two rounds - and Pellegrini also guided City to the League Cup final as well.

Saints defender Virgil van Dijk has also been shortlisted for the Player of the Month award.

He has been nominated alongside Sunderland's Jermain Defoe, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Tottenham's Deli Alli and Leicester's Kasper Schmeichel.

The winners of both awards will be announced at 6am tomorrow