Southampton FC Targeting Champions League Within Five Years
Despite the loss of many star players and former manager Mauricio Pochettino’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur last Summer, Southampton FC have managed to eclipse their record for most points in a Premier League season.
The 56 points earned by Southampton under the Argentine last season has already been overtaken by Ronald Koeman’s Saints. With 57 points and the Europa League in their sites, executive director Les Reed has already begun to push for bigger things.
"“We’d like to think we have the structure to reach the Champions League in the next five years. But it’s important to be established as a top-six club over that period.”"
Having been at Southampton since 2010, Reed has overseen a major turnaround on the South Coast. When the former Charlton boss first joined the Saints, the club was mired back in League One.
Originally appointed as Head of Football Development, it was Reed’s tactics that began to turnaround the club and revolutionize the already great Southampton FC youth academy.
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Now fighting for European qualification in the Premier League, Reed has targeted a spot in the Champions League as the clubs next logical step. However, breaking into the top four will a tough task.
Only twice since the beginning of the 2009-2010 season has a team other than Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United finished top four in the table (Tottenham 09-10, Liverpool 13-14).
While Southampton FC expects to challenge for the Premier League’s top four, the club must find a way to retain their star players.
While top players Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez have been linked heavily with moves away from the South Coast, Les Reed has now stated that the club will not sell their most prized stars.
"“It wouldn’t be our intention to sell any of our players this summer. We’re in the process of renegotiating contracts with some but our main purpose at the moment is keeping this squad together and adding to it.”"
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Also expected to leave Southampton this summer was starting Full Back Nathaniel Clyne. However, the club now expects that the English international will snub Manchester United and sign a new deal at Southampton FC.
While manager Ronald Koeman has also been talked about as a potential choice to manage at Manchester City next season, Reed is confident that the Dutchman will live up to his word and manage the remainder of his contract.
"“He’s said he’s going to stay. Ronald’s record at Feyernood and Ajax, where he did a really good job, was that he saw his contract out. He hasn’t got a record of jumping”."
If Southampton can continue to develop their star players in house, there is no reason why the side cannot become one of the top clubs in all of English soccer.
Retaining their stars from season to season as well as maintaining some strong leadership at the managerial position will be key to the Saints future.
Whether Champions League is in that future remains to be seen. For Saints supporters all around the world though, let us hope that Les Reed is as right as he has always been.