Alan Pardew keen to stop on at Southampton

Alan Pardew took over as boss at relegated Southampton in July 2009

Southampton manager Alan Pardew insists that he wants to stay on at St Mary's despite being linked with a number of managerial vacancies in recent weeks.

After starting the season with a 10-point deduction, Saints battled back to miss out on a place in the League One play-offs by just seven points.

But Pardew insists: "I want to stay at Southampton. I just hope we get an opportunity to build again.

"The fans have taken to me, and the team have been excellent."

It is understood that owner Markus Liebherr is disappointed with what he sees as a lack of progress, despite Saints losing just three league games since the turn of the year and winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley.

And Liebherr was absent from the club's final game of the season on Saturday - a 3-1 home win over Southend in front of another healthy 25,289 crowd at St Mary's.

But former Reading, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic manager Pardew is already planning ahead for next season.

"We look forward to making sure the players are prepared," he told BBC Radio Solent

"And we're coming back in less than five weeks to make sure they keep on top of their bodies.

"Then we'll be ready to go at the start of next campaign."