Mauricio Pochettino has warned Southampton that they must increase his transfer budget to allow his side to compete in the Premier League.
The Saints are set to finish eighth, which represents their best top-flight finish in nearly a quarter of a century.
However, the Argentine coach believes his current squad has gone as far as it can and with the likes of Adam Lallana linked with a move away, Pochettino wants the kind of resources to take on the Premier League's very best on a regular basis.
He told the Daily Mail: "We have come as far as we could. We have done everything we could and our position this season is eighth place.
"The fact is we have been fighting against amazing top clubs such as Manchester City.
"In order to try to reach their level we need to have a major international budget resourcing and try to match them on their own terms."
Pochettino's men face Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium in their final game of the Premier League season, with his future at the club in doubt as Tottenham Hotspur are reported mulling a move to bring the Argentine in to replace Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane for next season.
Chris O'Keefe
