Claude Puel has targeted European qualification next season, despite continued speculation over whether he will still be Saints boss.

The Frenchman repeatedly refused to look beyond tomorrow’s final home game of the season against Stoke, where a win will guarantee an eighth placed Premier League finish.

However, in amongst flat batting questions over his future he did reveal his target for next season is to guide the club to a return to Europe.

When asked if he still thought he would be Saints manager next season, Puel said: “I have no question for me about this. I am under contract and I am comfortable with Southampton and my work. My wish is just to stay concentrated about this last game and finish well.

“We have an opportunity to finish up in the table and it’s a good thing after this long and difficult season.

“Before the game against Manchester United I spoke with Jose Mourinho and it was very hard for them to play also every three days in every competition and playing European games is difficult.

“You play on Thursday and two days after Sunday in the Premier League is more difficult than playing in the Champions League for example because you have more time to recover.

“It was strong and interesting for all the squad to feel the difficulty of this and it is just a shame of course without the possibility to continue without the qualification for next season in European games.

“We learn a lot and it was very interesting and it will be I think the objective for the next season because all the players now and all the squad are ready to give a good answer in important games.”

Puel was asked repeatedly about his position, and whether he was happy with the end of season review which was confirmed by chairman Ralph Krueger.

Though the review is not specifically just focussed on Puel, and is a wider look at the campaign as a whole, there is no doubt that the manager’s future is right at the top of the agenda.

“No comment about this also because the most important we are lucky to finish strongly this last game and we have the opportunity to play an important game for the last game of the season,” insisted Puel.

“Many teams are on holidays and after this long season with all these different competitions and this work the players always with good concentration and focus about this last game and the opportunity to finish more up on the table.

“We are lucky about this and it’s the most important.

“There were good things with the (EFL Cup) final and the FA Cup and the possibility to improve these players because many players improve this season and it’s very interesting for the future for them and many become international players.

“It is interesting for the future of Southampton also because it’s a strong squad with many players on a good level.

“It is just this and this last game is important and we can finish strong and it’s a good feeling for the squad and for our fans and of course it’s important for Southampton.”