Ronald Koeman: Keeping Morgan Schneiderlin is our Best Piece of Business

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman insists that holding on to want away midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is the best piece of business the Saints did this summer.

The Frenchman was looking for a move away from the club with Tottenham touted as the most possible destination, but the St Mary's club stood firm and refused to let the player join the exodus that saw multiple players depart for bigger clubs in the Premier League.

"I hope keeping Morgan is our best piece of business because he is a very important player for our team. He is playing in an important position," Koeman said, as quoted in the Mirror.

"We had a difficult two weeks but he did everything in a good, professional way and the best way to answer is on the pitch."

The Dutch boss believes that keeping Schneiderlin was an important decision and has credited the midfielder for reacting in a professional way following his initial disappointment regarding the club's decision to block his move.

"It was an important decision to keep him, not only for the quality of the player but for the spirit and ambition of the club and for the rest of the team. Morgan was disappointed at first but that is a normal reaction and after that his behaviour was professional," the former Feyenoord boss explained.

"I had several conversations with Morgan but finally it was the player who made the right decision. From what I have seen during the last three weeks he is a fantastic player."

The Southampton manager refused to be drawn into speculation regarding Tottenham's interest in the French midfielder and a possible move during the January transfer window.

"We will see what happens in January. For now all I am focused on is the game against Newcastle on Saturday," Koeman concluded.