Ronald Koeman insists he will not shy away from the Europa League as Southampton prepare for European action this season.

The Saints host Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem at St Mary's on Thursday night in the first leg of their third round qualifier opf Europe's second tier club competition and the Dutchman is looking forward to the challenge of juggling domestic duties with other obligations.

"Everybody wants to be part of the Champions League, but it is not for us. For us, maybe, Champions League is the Europa League," he said.

"I can understand if you are a manager of a big club in the Premier League you like to play in the Champions League and maybe the Europa League is not the competition you like to play in.

"For Southampton it is a new situation, a new experience for the players, the club and the fans and I'm not worried about playing in Europe and playing in the Premier League because I believe in the qualities of the players, the spirit of the players and to do it well in both competitions.

"I have the experience of coaching teams in the league and then playing in the Champions League.

"That is one of the reasons why I have a full and strong squad with balance in the team to manage both competitions."