Southampton boss Ronald Koeman says he was always confident of a successful season.

Koeman reiterated that he always believed Saints were in for a strong campaign.

"I was always quietly confident," he said.

"There was a lot of focus on the players who were leaving, but I always felt calm and prepared for what lay ahead.

"Through all the negativity, it was very important that I transmitted that calm and confidence to the players.

"But it was genuine - I always believed we could have a good season."