Ronald Koeman plans to implement a 4-3-3 system at Saints, and has promised fans his side will play an attractive brand of football.

The club’s manager has taken his team away to the Netherlands and Belgium for a couple of days to prepare for the coming season.

As well as two low-key friendly matches – the first of which is against Dutch amateur side EHC Hoensbroek tonight – Koeman will also use the time to further explain and teach his ideas to the players, and he gave an insight into what he has planned in terms of a system for the new campaign.

“First of all, it depends on the players. The players make the system, the system doesn’t make the players, but what I see in the squad, what I see in the players, is we can play 4-3-3," he said.

“Maybe we will change it sometimes – it depends on the opponents, it depends on the situations, but the way how we like to play is the 4-3-3 system.”

Saints were known for using a 4-2-3-1 formation under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino, who implemented a high-tempo pressing game that helped win the club many admirers.

Koeman also earned a reputation at his previous club, Feyenoord, for an eye-catching and attacking brand of football.

He won plaudits for his willingness to promote from the academy and nurture young talent, having guided a number of players from the junior ranks and into this year's Dutch World Cup squad.

It is a philosophy that seems perfect for Saints, and Koeman hopes he will be a good fit.

“I am a manager who likes to see my team playing good football. I think that’s important,” he said.

“I like to play attractive. It’s one of the philosophies of Southampton Football Club and I like to bring in young players.

"We have a great academy in Southampton and a lot of young players in the squad at this moment.

"I had a great experience as a football player, I can smell what happens in the team and the dressing room and I look forward to that.

"After a lot of different clubs I have managed, it’s a lot of experience."

Koeman must also make a decision over who will be the team's new captain, after previous skipper Adam Lallana was sold to Liverpool.

He says an indication will likely be given in the coming days.

“You will see it (this) week, because we will start friendly matches,” he said.