Ronald Koeman dismisses Mauricio Pochettino's title comments

Ronald Koeman has laughed-off Mauricio Pochettino's suggestion that Southampton are still in the Premier League title race.

Former Saints and current Tottenham manager Pochettino said on Thursday that he believes seven teams are still in with a chance of winning the league title.

That is despite Southampton sitting seventh, 19 points behind leaders Leicester, and Koeman insists that his only focus is on securing European football.

"I do not agree with Mauricio. It is nice to hear that Southampton is one of the seven teams that are still fighting, but I do not see it like that," Koeman said.

"In my opinion, it is between Tottenham and Leicester.

"Everything is possible, it is all about us and if we keep the level and the spirit, we know we are fighting for European football, fifth and sixth position on the table, not the first four teams."

He added: "If we want to play in Europe, then we need more points than sixth and it starts this Sunday. Everybody is playing for something and that is nice for the Premier League. There is pressure everywhere."

Southampton face table-topping Leicester on Sunday, following a two-week break that saw the majority of Koeman's squad leave on international duty, and the Saints boss believes the club are still learning how to cope with having a large number of players representing their country.

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"We had 17 players away - some players played a lot, some players did not play a lot," added Koeman. "We play on Sunday, so I think that is good that we have one extra day for people who played a lot or travelled a lot.

"It is good to have the international players because it is good to develop themselves and to prepare for the European [Championship]."

"We like to control everything, that the players are coming back as fast as possible from the international break.

"Some players didn't play on Monday or Tuesday and some players played 90 minutes in both games, but I cannot do anything.

"We hope everybody will be fit and it is a good experience for the players.

"It is the second season that we have that number of players and it is a learning curve for the players as well. They learn from it and I do not see it as a big problem."