Tuesday 17 March 2015 17:09, UK
Ronald Koeman says he would jump at the chance to manage Barcelona but insists his immediate focus is on Southampton and continuing their surprise success in the Premier League.
Koeman, who played at Barcelona from 1989 to 1995, has had a remarkable impact since arriving at St Mary's in the summer.
The Dutchman took over a team that was widely expected to have a hefty relegation battle on their hands but, after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea, the Saints are sitting sixth in the Premier League with nine matches remaining.
Such success has seen Koeman linked with a move away to one of Europe's elite clubs - a job he believes he would be up to.
"I see myself as ready," he told Spanish radio show El Partido de las 12. "I have been a coach for a while now and I have been at a few clubs.
"I have experience and this is an important detail if you are going to be a good coach, but at the moment I am only thinking about Southampton because I have two more years on my contract after this season."
England is the fourth country in which Koeman has managed after spells in his homeland, Portugal and Spain.
At the moment I am only thinking about Southampton because I have two more years on my contract after this season.
It is a return to the latter he is most often linked with and Barcelona have regularly been mentioned as a potential destination.
Koeman had a stellar playing stint at Barca, and is fondly rememberd at the Nou Camp for his free-kicks and goal-scoring ability.
"Everyone knows what I have had with Barcelona and what Barcelona has with Ronald Koeman," he said.
"Therefore, if one day in the future I can be manager there, I would love it."
It is Manchester City, though, not Koeman's Saints, who on Wednesday face the unenviable task of attempting to thwart Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.
Failure to overcome them will mean more pressure on City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has lost three of his last four matches.
Koeman played with City's director of football Txiki Begiristain at Barcelona, leading to faint suggestions that the Saints boss could soon be getting a call to step up at the Etihad Stadium.
"Txiki has my number!" he said, before adding quickly: "This is a joke.
"We have to play them at the end of the season. We are friends and we have frequent contact and we are both happy to be working in England."
