RALPH Hasenhuttl insists a top ten finish is a possibility next season.

In an interview with Sport Bild, the Saints manager outlined what’s achievable for the club in the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Hasenhuttl said: “For the first half year, we wanted to bring back the feeling of being back. 

“I think we have managed to make people positive for the club again.

“Next season, we want to climb as far as we can. We can land at 10th place.”

It didn’t take long for Hasenhuttl to endear himself to the St Mary’s crowd following the departure of former boss Mark Hughes.

Two wins on the bounce against Arsenal and Huddersfield last December led to widespread praise.

The club’s former main sponsor, Virgin Media, unveiled a poster saying ‘Ralphampton’ outside of St Mary’s.

Hasenhuttl admitted to finding it all a bit overwhelming to begin with.

He added: “Initially, the hype was almost too much for me. I won two games and was equal to ‘King Ralph’. 

“You have to be careful. But if you succeed in inspiring people here in a sustainable way, then they [the fans] are already similar to the Leipzigers.

“Regardless of the outcome, they are very positive. That gives me a lot of strength.”

If the Saints boss has a successful campaign next season, then it’s likely he’ll be linked with a host of top managerial jobs.

Hasenhuttl admits a return to Germany, for now, is off the cards given his happiness on the south coast.

As well as that, he is keen to make a name for himself in England and in the Premier League.

“You cannot rule anything out in football,” continued Hasenhuttl.

“But right now, I do not think that I'm working as a coach in Germany again. In England, the coaches enjoy a very different status. I have an extremely high job satisfaction.

“I've found a job here that fills me up, and I'm not here to run away. 

“I want to make a name for myself in this league.”