SAINTS legend Matt Le Tissier hailed the “professionalism” of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges as they finished the Premier League campaign in sublime fashion.

The St Mary’s side were unbeaten in their last seven games of the 2019-20 campaign and picked up an impressive 15 points in the process.

A strong finale saw them end the season 11th in the table, with manager Hasenhuttl awarded the Premier League’s manager of the month award after an unbeaten July.

And club icon Le Tissier, who scored 100 Premier League goals for the south coast outfit, believes a top-half finish could be achieved next season.

Speaking in his role as a pundit, he told Sky Sports: "The professionalism of the players has been an absolute credit to the manager and the football club.

“When you look at what we've been capable of in the past few weeks - we've just played Manchester City at home, Manchester United away, Everton away.

"Unbeaten with five points, you look at that and think if you take that form into next season, what can we realistically achieve?

“From what I've seen, I'd expect a top-half finish from this group."

Hasenhuttl fought of competition from the likes of Pep Guardiola, David Moyes, José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær to seal the manager of the month prize – which was announced today.

It is the first time that he has picked up the award and the second time he has been nominated – he missed out to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp back in January.